Can you have a deep down core change on your own?
“The Great Commission is not just a commission to be for self. It is a command to be obeyed. God has called us to go; there is no other option,” she said. “What would your life look like if you had nothing to lose? What would your life look like if you had nothing to prove? That’s the call of God on your life.”
-Heather Mercer
As I listened to Heather Mercer and revisit a couple of the questions she asked during her talk…“What would your life look like if you had nothing to lose? What would your life look like if you had nothing to prove?”…Wow, those are tough questions to think about and be honest with yourself. Why? Because in reality I do have something to lose and things to prove! At least the human side of me does. I think for many of us, myself included, we continue to look at a relationship with God completely in the wrong perspective.
If I was honest with myself and 100% completely sold out to God, then I truly wouldn’t have anything to lose or prove. However, in my daily thinking I have not surrendered to this fact. My thinking is I do have something to lose and prove. I have places “I” want to go. Yep, it is still all about me. I wish it wasn’t, but I just cannot seem to shake that way of acting deep down at my core. Let me clarify, I do not walk around conscientiously thinking this way, but if I stop and get honest with what is deep inside, then this is true.
Are U Considering becoming a Spiritual Mentor?
Currently, our church is running a series that is talking a lot about Big Brother and Big Sister type relationships within the church. This concept is where more mature Christians lead or mentor younger Christians and so on. I have been having a bit of a struggle with this as I have not seen this type of relationship lived out, even within the current circles that I participate. I certainly understand that the process can take some time to develop or mature and that in any relationship you open yourself up to vulnerability, but when some of those leading the charge are the ones violating the trust…I take issue with that.
This concept has been very successful within the secular realm of Big Brother’s and Big Sister’s mentorship program. Research shows that children matched with a mentor are more likely to succeed in school and in life. Children matched with Big Brothers or Sisters are:
52% less likely to skip a day of school
46% less likely to start using illegal drugs
64% more confident of their ability to perform their schoolwork
I do believe that the mentorship philosophy can be equally successful in the spiritual context as well. However, just as in the secular version of this concept, if an adult Big Brother or Sister violates that trust with the younger child it could have a huge impact on the outcome of that child’s life. I think the piece missing for me in the spiritual mentorship program is the lack of proper screening, teaching and realization of the HUGE responsibility this is. Not properly handled and it could have REAL lasting impact on spiritual growth for the younger Christian.
Taking on a Big Brother or Big Sister role within the church, in my opinion, is one of the biggest responsibilities you can undertake and it ABSOLUTELY should not be taken lightly or for one’s own gain. Some that I have observed around me do not fully realized the responsibility that this type of role requires.
Shut Up And Look Out The Window!
Over the last 6-8 months I have been asking God and praying that He will show me where He wants me and when it will happen. I have been questioning why He has taken me on the diversion I have encountered over the past year, when all seemed to be going fine prior to that. Well about 2 months ago I decided to stop asking “where are we going, when will we get there and how much further”, like some whiny kid in the backseat on a vacation trip. I finally said “okay God, You are in control…You are driving and wherever we are going is fine and when we get this is fine”. I clearly heard back…and I will paraphrase here, “Thank you, now shut up and look out the window.”
So, here I sit looking out the passenger side window wondering if that mountain in the distance is where we are going. If it is, there sure is a lot of distance still to cover before we get there. The longer I sit content and look out the window…the more it becomes okay. This has been a tough one to learn because I am a doer…probably why God has me learning it.
As a disclaimer, I know God may not speak to His children like I titled this blog, but He might, however it is much more humorous for me to look at it the way I paraphrased it.
What’s at your Core?
Have you ever stopped and thought about what is really at the deepest core of who you are? I have to admit, most of the time I try to avoid getting alone with my own thoughts to the point that I ever get that deep. However, my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who knows exactly what I need, when I need it and exactly how to deliver it…can bring me to the point that I have to consider these “deep” thoughts. Let’s face it, if I am unwilling to allow myself to go that deep, He can certainly bring me to the circumstances that force me to go that deep.
With that said, think about your physical core and the muscles that support your body.
Core stability is the name given to the strengthening of the corset of muscles surrounding the back and abdomen. These muscles are also known as the ‘core’ and provide a solid base upon which all other muscles can work upon to initiate movement. A comprehensive strengthening program of these core muscles can be used for injury prevention, rehabilitation and sport performance-enhancement.
When all these muscles contract together they keep the spine in its most stable position (the neutral zone), and aid in preventing injury. They are known to contract prior to any limb (arm or leg) movement and so they function in keeping the centre, or core of the body rigid during all movement.
-
Page Views Since January 2008
-
