disclaimer: these are the ramblings of my mind and heart, put into some type of organizational form {I think} which may or may not make any sense to you. it's also much, much longer than I hoped anticipated.
as I sit down to write this, I'm not sure really where to begin. I suppose the beginning would be the best. recently {about 1 week ago actually} I started reading a new book, which I've wanted to read for quite some time now. it's called "the practice of godliness" by jerry bridges. you can find it here. while I initially had 1 book on my list to read before this one, it was not in the lifeway store when I was, so I settled for this little guy. turns out, it was exactly what I needed.
now, before I dive into this book and attempt to share with you all the great truths that have been revealed to me, you should know why I'm sharing this to begin with. I am a visual learner; I learn best when I see/read something and then have to immediately write it down again, or put it into my own words. I can't tell you how many times I have zoomed right through a christian book, or any reading for that matter, {like the speedy little reader that I am} processed and thought about whatever it was that I read, tried to apply it for a week or so, and then it's lost in the abyss that is my mind. so in the hopes of reading something and hoping it sticks, I will share what I'm learning with you. maybe there's a chance you'll learn something new too. so here goes...
ch. 1: value for all things
"for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." -1 timothy 4:8
this is the verse that sits neatly right underneath the title, which I would generally skim over and move on. but this struck a chord in me from the beginning, so I wrote it in my journal and memorized it right then and there. for me personally this verse means a lot. if you know me at all, you know that I love love love to work out! tae-bo, running, plyometrics, yoga, pilates, you name it and chances are good that I enjoy it, and make time for it in my crazy-busy schedule. the moment I read this verse, I immediately felt convicted. I will make time in my schedule for time to work out and stay as active as possible, but do I do the same for the Lord? do I wake up every morning with excitement to spend the first hour of my day with the Lord, the way that I do when I wake up to work out? sometimes I spend so much time and energy keeping my physical body in shape {which I do not think in itself is a bad thing} and leave what's left over for God, when shouldn't it be the other way around? of course it should. the problem is in how much value I put on my physical training and my spiritual training. the two are not even close to equals. God's word states it loud and clear: godliness has value for ALL things. and although I know this, I do not put that into practice in my own life a lot of times, and that has officially changed. I would rather resemble the Lord in every way possible, growing in his likeness and image each and every day, than to be physically fit. yes, that is still important to me, and I think God calls us to take care of the bodies he gave us, but in no way should that override my spiritual training. and yes, we are to train ourselves to be godly; to pursue it with an unceasing effort. {excuse my rant, that was much longer than intended}
chapter 1 also gives 3 basic elements which are studied more closely in later chapters: fear of God, love of God, desire for God.
these 3 elements add up to devotion to God, which is the motivation for us as believers and in itself is pleasing to God. bridges explains it this way, "godliness is more than christian character; it is christian character that springs from a devotion to God." not devoted to a ministry, devoted to a vision, devoted to a mission, devoted to a cause, devoted to one's reputation, but devoted to God. this may seem trivial and obvious, but I think it warrants some serious thought. certainly there have been times in my life when my devotion is to my reputation as a leader, as a student teacher, not to my God. I long to be a godly woman, devoted in everything to God.
ch. 2: devotion to God
FEAR OF GOD*
in this chapter, bridges begins with a visual {yay! I love diagrams} of a triangle depicting the 3 elements that lead to a devotion to God that were introduced earlier. on the two bottom angles would be "love for God" and "fear of God" which lead up to the apex {top of the triangle} and point to a desire for God.
as a christian, I would probably say that I am generally more focused on God's love and representing that to the world than I am with being a "God-fearing" woman. I have always struggled somewhat with this concept, and have studied and prayed to be God-fearing. I am completely in awe of the power and might of God and his ability to do everything and anything beyond what my feeble mind can even begin to imagine. I'm in awe of his transformation of myself, and those around me; of his divine nature and orchestration of the events in my life; of everything. yes, I praise God and seek to know him more fully, but do I fall on my knees at his feet because I can't do anything else, knowing his incredible power and goodness? this fear is meant to be one of reverence and awe, of adoration and devotion because of his glory, majesty, and perfect holiness.
"who among the gods is like you, O Lord? who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working in wonders?" -exodus 15:11
"since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." -1 peter 1:17
"therefore my dear friends as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence-continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling." -philippians 2:12
LOVE OF GOD*
as I mentioned earlier, there is another base point at the triangle, and that is the love of God. this has to be coupled with the awe and reverence of God. these two ideas work in tandem to form the foundation for the desire of God. God is love. God's grace shown to me on the cross is the greatest love story ever told. jesus took on the wrath and punishment that I deserved, and instead offered me life and love. no words do any justice to the gift given to us through Christ.
"this is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." -1 john 4:9-10
all of romans 8 explains in perfection God's love. nothing can separate us from it... nothing. his love is entirely of grace and so no matter what we {I} do I cannot cause God to love me any more or any less. again, this is a familiar idea and often talked about passage of scripture. but I challenge you to really think about it: do you truly believe that? {sidenote: another really cool book that talks ALL about this is "transforming grace" also by jerry bridges. I would highly recommend it. my bible study read it a while back}. bridges says it this way, "the more we see God in his infinite majesty, holiness, and transcendent glory, the more we will gaze with wonder and amazement upon his love poured out at calvary. but it is also true that the deeper our perception of God's love to us in Christ, the more profound our reverence and awe of him."
DESIRE FOR GOD*
lastly is the apex of the triangle-desire for God; a longing for God himself. so often I start my quiet times with the Lord spilling out my every want and need {as if he didn't already know} like a long never-ending list for guidance; I'm making a decision and need to know what the right path is. I lose the desire for God himself. to simply be in the presence of the Lord and be moved, to worship and sing and cry out and be utterly wrapped up in knowing Christ more deeply. too often I allow my wants and needs and the troubles of every day life sneak in and take my focus off of simply being in God's presence. one psalmist writes it this way:
"as the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, o God. my soul thirsts for God, for the living God. when can I go and meet with God?" -psalm 42:1-2
too often I get in my own way. I get distracted by the things around me, the limited time in each day that seems to fly past as I rush around working for things of this world. I just need God. that's really it. I just need to sit in his presence, be completely filled by his love and know him more deeply. my heart longs for the Lord.
my favorite part of this portion of the chapter says, "as he contemplates God in the awesomeness of his infinite majesty, power, and holiness, and then as he dwells upon the riches of his mercy and grace poured out at calvary, his heart is captivated by this one who could love him so. he is satisfied with God alone, but he is never satisfied with his present experience of God. he always yearns for more."
well there it is. everything {well not everything} that has been going through my silly mind the past week-ish. would love to hear any thoughts on this so far. and if you haven't read this yet, you can tell it comes highly recommended by me. :) I was going to let you in on chapter 3 too, but I think this is way too long already long enough. be on the lookout... part 2 is coming your way soon!
loved this. seriously one of my favorite blogs i have ever read. really want to read this now. thanks :)
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