14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [f]hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [g]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 4:14-16
Tonight while I was talking to God I had a thought based off of these verses.
Sometimes this is the way I envision life. Climbing upwards everyday, everyday learning how to better serve God. And as we strive, we will reflect more of His light. I'm not saying we should strive to climb the hill so that everyone will see us. Instead, we climb so that we can reflect God to all those around us and below us. If we can find a way to reflect that light, we will come closer to Him and become more like Him.
When we turn around and start reflecting the circumstances surrounding us, and especially the things behind us, we don't reflect much light. Keep looking up, keep looking forward, and God's always right there.
Chin up, you've got this.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Seek the Kingdom
We're so caught up in the "What if's" and the "Why's". What about the "How's" and the "What's"?
It's my last year of school and I'm finding myself wading through those murky waters of self-discovery and everything that accompanies an unclear future. I try and learn all I can for the "What if's" that might come my way. But that's only a lack of faith. Self-discovery is good, to a certain point. But at times it seems to become a celebration of self. I still haven't found which possibilities are concrete and which are dreams. I'm still trying to define my own dreams, let alone discover the concrete possibilities that God has for me.
I still always come back to building towards the Kingdom. It's all Kingdom work. Even the parts where you're unsure and you can't seem to find the time or place that fits you. The Bible says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Usually the rest of the chapter is forgotten. Shortly before that verse, the chapter talks about anxiety and having faith. We are called on to practice our faith according to God's calling, to seek out righteousness and to serve. The things we seek out on earth can benefit us little in the long run. Everything is short term.
When I read this, all my anxiety about where I am and where I am going seems pointless. How is it adding to the treasures in heaven? How can I add to the treasures in heaven? It says to seek the kingdom, and God's righteousness. Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom is of "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". That peace and joy may mean being still before the Lord and finding that contentment that He calls us to. It is a gift He wants to give us, but are we prepared to slow down and receive it? Righteousness is used throughout the Bible in terms of what is ethically 'right', an attribute of God, a state of cleanliness, truthfulness, salvation, and justice. In other words, to seek righteousness out is to seek out God's character and the morals that He sets out for us in the Bible.
It all seems so simple. It may not feel simple. But we tend to overcomplicate things. Draw your focus to God and center it there. Bury yourself in the word, even when it doesn't seem to be speaking to you.
You'll find the Kingdom, you'll discover righteousness. You'll begin to let God put the pieces together for you without even realizing it.
It's my last year of school and I'm finding myself wading through those murky waters of self-discovery and everything that accompanies an unclear future. I try and learn all I can for the "What if's" that might come my way. But that's only a lack of faith. Self-discovery is good, to a certain point. But at times it seems to become a celebration of self. I still haven't found which possibilities are concrete and which are dreams. I'm still trying to define my own dreams, let alone discover the concrete possibilities that God has for me.
I still always come back to building towards the Kingdom. It's all Kingdom work. Even the parts where you're unsure and you can't seem to find the time or place that fits you. The Bible says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Usually the rest of the chapter is forgotten. Shortly before that verse, the chapter talks about anxiety and having faith. We are called on to practice our faith according to God's calling, to seek out righteousness and to serve. The things we seek out on earth can benefit us little in the long run. Everything is short term.
When I read this, all my anxiety about where I am and where I am going seems pointless. How is it adding to the treasures in heaven? How can I add to the treasures in heaven? It says to seek the kingdom, and God's righteousness. Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom is of "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". That peace and joy may mean being still before the Lord and finding that contentment that He calls us to. It is a gift He wants to give us, but are we prepared to slow down and receive it? Righteousness is used throughout the Bible in terms of what is ethically 'right', an attribute of God, a state of cleanliness, truthfulness, salvation, and justice. In other words, to seek righteousness out is to seek out God's character and the morals that He sets out for us in the Bible.
It all seems so simple. It may not feel simple. But we tend to overcomplicate things. Draw your focus to God and center it there. Bury yourself in the word, even when it doesn't seem to be speaking to you.
You'll find the Kingdom, you'll discover righteousness. You'll begin to let God put the pieces together for you without even realizing it.
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