Is not part our problem the normal way of life in our culture and economy. We have our working week of so many hours, our daily commute, our consumption of news media and entertainment, our shopping, our house keeping, our caring for kids or aged ones, our Sunday going to church.
We have little time or energy left over for fresh ways or levels of intensity. And we can't find a way out of the economic and cultural traps.
They may be excuses, but they are the very things I pondered on my morning walk today.
We have so scheduled our so-called necessities that we miss out on the real necessities and justify the lack by pointing at our day planner ("too busy"). I know it's what I do and I am forced to ask myself if am I willing to make the changes needed to clear some space in my schedule. I think my answer at the moment is, "Almost, but not quite." What will it take to get to, "Yes," I do not know.
I am reminded of the father's cry in Mark 9:24, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
Reading the end of Col 1 and the beginning of Col 2 (especially in AMP), it seems to me that the new life should permeate and overlay the old. We should not withdraw from the world and society, but our attitude to it and our focus changes. We continue with the daily commute and everything but we see the things of heaven.
Col 3:3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.(AMP)
The pondering was good. There is more to consider--Colossians is a deep letter--but as I read, the words "seek" and "set your mind on" caught my eye. They both have to do with mental training, so to speak, and how it trains our heart to see things the way God sees things.
I'm sure this will keep coming up, as I am doing some deep work in Ephesian 4:7-16, which covers related themes. This, of course, in addition to my own struggles to be more like Christ in the midst of a tendency to carry a full load of stuff in life.
Is not part our problem the normal way of life in our culture and economy. We have our working week of so many hours, our daily commute, our consumption of news media and entertainment, our shopping, our house keeping, our caring for kids or aged ones, our Sunday going to church.
ReplyDeleteWe have little time or energy left over for fresh ways or levels of intensity. And we can't find a way out of the economic and cultural traps.
Or am I just repeating the usual excuses?
They may be excuses, but they are the very things I pondered on my morning walk today.
ReplyDeleteWe have so scheduled our so-called necessities that we miss out on the real necessities and justify the lack by pointing at our day planner ("too busy"). I know it's what I do and I am forced to ask myself if am I willing to make the changes needed to clear some space in my schedule. I think my answer at the moment is, "Almost, but not quite." What will it take to get to, "Yes," I do not know.
I am reminded of the father's cry in Mark 9:24, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
Reading the end of Col 1 and the beginning of Col 2 (especially in AMP), it seems to me that the new life should permeate and overlay the old. We should not withdraw from the world and society, but our attitude to it and our focus changes. We continue with the daily commute and everything but we see the things of heaven.
ReplyDeleteCol 3:3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.(AMP)
I meant end of Col 2 beginning Col 3.
ReplyDeleteHasty writing ... maybe it doesn't make sense anyway ...
At first glance it does make sense, I'll ponder it a bit on the ride home tonight (I would have yesterday, but it was Isaiah day).
ReplyDeleteSo the pondering was good? I saw a quote coming back on twitter! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe pondering was good. There is more to consider--Colossians is a deep letter--but as I read, the words "seek" and "set your mind on" caught my eye. They both have to do with mental training, so to speak, and how it trains our heart to see things the way God sees things.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this will keep coming up, as I am doing some deep work in Ephesian 4:7-16, which covers related themes. This, of course, in addition to my own struggles to be more like Christ in the midst of a tendency to carry a full load of stuff in life.