In and out.
In
Out
In
Out.
Breathing is so calming.
Something we take for granted.
I live with someone who wears a cannula 24-7 to help her get enough oxygen. Without it, she couldn’t live.
The advancements we’ve made in medicine, technology, recreation, travel, educational institutions, waste management, social justice, rights etc. are amazing. Quality of life has supposedly gone up. That’s the idea, right? To make things easier and more convenient for people so that we can enjoy life more?
There should always be a “so that” behind our actions. Every action we take was preceded by a choice to do that action. Unless of course you’re forced to do something. I think of the horror of rape or human trafficking. But something like breathing; we don’t have to choose to breathe. It comes just as naturally for us as blinking and other bodily functions.
So what if we got used to acting in ways that make our lives more convenient for ourselves and others without having to think about it? What if we taught ourselves how to live in a way that promoted growth and happiness and health and well-being? What if living in this way became as natural to us as breathing?
This is not a post about self-help or self-improvement in the way the world might talk about it. This is a post about training up your mind in a way that will lead to prosperity in all that you do.
I want to be a person who chooses to act — whether is be in the way I dress, eat, work, socialize, or think — in progressive way.
Progress. Ahh, I love this word. It’s so encouraging. It’s so hopeful. It’s so life-giving. It contrasts between what once was, and what now is. It shows improvement. It shows that change is possible. It at least shows that change was possible.
Perhaps on a down-day when you don’t feel like anything in your life has changed. That you’re stuck in the same mental rut that you were stuck in last year, the year before, and the years before that.
I want to challenge you to pay to attention to your progress. Journal, write things down, celebrate the small successes. Give yourself grace along the way. Enjoy life. Find ways to do this. Look for opportunities to experience joy. To experience thrill and adventure, if that’s your thing. To experience quiet and solitude and reflection. Look for ways to give back and share your perspective with others. It’s not all about us.
It’s not all about us!
So. Back to learning how to act in ways that benefit yourself and others. It has to be a transformation of your heart and mind.
I believe there is only one way to do this.
“Therefore, I u r g e you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2
- Offer your bodies to God. Acknowledge that you belong to Him.
- Renew your mind. Do this by reading and hearing His Word.
RESULT: Act according to His will. Without having to think about it.
Lord, I want to live in Your will without having to think so hard. Without having to try so hard. I want to live life to the full. I want to live under the umbrella of your truth. I need you to give me eyes to see what is true. Lord I need you to teach me to find my satisfaction in Jesus. Lord, you have told me all of this in your word but my heart is still deceitful. I still pursue attention and satisfaction and thrills from the world. It shows my doubt, impatience and lack of trust in you. It shows my rebellion and selfishness. Lord, thank you for being long-suffering. Thank you for your pursuit of me and my heart. Thank you for teaching me, day after day, to choose you. To realize that at the end of all things, the only thing that shall stand and remain is Yourself. Your kingdom. Your glory. Your Son. Your Holy Spirit. Lord, I want to stand with you. Please don’t give up on me!
I want worshiping you to become as natural as breathing.
I want praying to you to become as natural as breathing.
I want praising and glorifying you to become as natural as breathing.
I want walking with you to become as natural as breathing.
I want trusting and obeying you to become as natural as breathing.
I want to do all things unto the glory of God.
By His power, He will help me!
xxx
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