[/caption] In the absence of focus the immediate things become central. Our society is full of these distractions and sometimes we accept them without question because they are so deeply embedded in our routines. I use to center my evening hours around the TV show LOST- until my wife and I realized how lost we really were becoming. We are driven at a frenetic pace but are we going anywhere? This year, I feel in my heart and spirit a challenge from the LORD not just to be focused but to develop a rhythm of life. I have to admit it’s going to be a supernatural struggle to ‘order my days aright’ but I know that living with great intention is a key aspect of authentically following JESUS. Is it any wonder that the words ‘disciple’ and ‘discipline’ spring from the same root concept? I remember when Rick Warren’s hugely popular books ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ and ‘The Purpose Driven Church’ came out. Could it be that many of us in the American church are living a ‘purposeless, driven life’ and that’s why the book was such a hit? We are desperately treading the waters of our often visionless but raging routine- afloat in hurry sickness and the cultural values of the American Dream. But JESUS tells us: “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This isn’t about guilt and trying to earn favor with GOD through religious living. This is about finding rest for our souls (mind, will and emotions) through following the risen Messiah in a new rhythm of life. How do we practically incorporate spiritual disciplines and pursuing GOD’s purposes for our lives into our daily routines? Are we seeing GOD’s visions and dreaming His dreams for our lives? Do you struggle with these things like I do? ========================================================= Resources: The Root of Busyness and Its Counter-Cultural Cure [PDF by Kirk Hadden- M.Div., Intercultural Studies] Living on Purpose: Finding God’s Best for Your Life [brilliant book on catching GOD’s vision for your life by our friends Tom and Christine Sine]]]>
Yes! I struggle with the same things. It is a constant thing on my mind…some days are better then others when it comes to these matters. I think as I age the Lord brings me more and more this place…”Do what matters for eternity”.
Not only Americans do have that problem… (speaking as a belgian)
Bram: thanks for stopping by. I speak of the American Dream as the thing that has replaced our devotion to JESUS and His kingdom but the American Dream is only an expression of a deeper cultural influence that has driven the entire Western world -call it Modernism or the Enlightenment or whatever is- but it is in competition with GOD for the energies and affections of our souls.
“How do we practically incorporate spiritual disciplines and pursuing GOD’s purposes for our lives into our daily routines?”
Wish I knew. Every time I think I have a handle on it, a kid gets sick or a big project comes up or something happens that throws everything out a whack. My husband is much better at this than I am. Even when his life is crazy he's got several routines (Scripture study, memory verses with the kids, etc.) that he somehow keeps going.
Then again, sometimes I think we can incorporate some disciplines into our lives to a point where they keep us going, but we're not necessarily taking time to look at the bigger picture – the “God's purposes” picture. I miss the days when I was in a youth group, or InterVarsity in college, when we'd go on retreats and take time out to think over the grand scheme of things and then take time to work out how that fits with our day to day. It was a great chance to make sure our lives were matching what we said we believed and what we valued.
“How do we practically incorporate spiritual disciplines and pursuing GOD’s purposes for our lives into our daily routines?”
Wish I knew. Every time I think I have a handle on it, a kid gets sick or a big project comes up or something happens that throws everything out a whack. My husband is much better at this than I am. Even when his life is crazy he's got several routines (Scripture study, memory verses with the kids, etc.) that he somehow keeps going.
Then again, sometimes I think we can incorporate some disciplines into our lives to a point where they keep us going, but we're not necessarily taking time to look at the bigger picture – the “God's purposes” picture. I miss the days when I was in a youth group, or InterVarsity in college, when we'd go on retreats and take time out to think over the grand scheme of things and then take time to work out how that fits with our day to day. It was a great chance to make sure our lives were matching what we said we believed and what we valued.
In my opinion god was/is created in man’s image. Man is responsible for the “driven”life he/she leads therefore it would make sense that MAN not satan is in charge of leading a purposeless or purposeful life, which ever you “choose” to lead.