At the outset of 2024 have you taken some time to think over what you hope for, what you want to accomplish, what needs to be strengthened, what needs to be repaired? I do not do New Year’s Resolutions because I know that the grand statements made in the first week of January are usually forgotten or discarded within a week or two. Knowing who am I, being self-aware, and praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help me define life is important! Why? Because the choices we make are shaped by what is in our head, even if we are not conscious of those values.
A psychologist writes that "Self-awareness
is the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions
align with your internal standards. If you're highly self-aware, you can
objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, align your behavior with
your values, and understand correctly how others perceive you." This kind of emotional maturity is much less
common than you might think. Many people live most of their lives reacting
to others, to situations, rather than acting to shape the life they live!
If asked, could you state three truths that shape your life today that no amount of pressure can change? (music, please, while we think...)
The difficulty in that
assignment comes, in part, from the layers of overlapping interests, from the
complexity of demands that directly compete. Christians know the will of God, guided by the
Spirit who asks our primary devotion. Competing with the Spirit is the constant
lure of Self-interest that desires comfort, security, and happiness. The voices of our spouses, kids, neighbors,
government, bosses, pastors, politicians, pundits, and social media are always
there, too.
Is the importance of knowing who you are and to what or to whom you give your primary loyalty becoming more obvious? Let me help us to think with some practical questions.
When pleasure and worship compete for the same time in our week, what will ultimately shape the choice I make?
When God's requirement that I belong to Him collides with my friends pressure to conform to lesser values, what will form my choice?
When life dangles a 'golden' opportunity in front of us that directly impacts our ability to love God and others as we should, what will cause us to make the right decision?
The wisdom of the Word tells us to "Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other." (Colossians 3:16, NLT) The Psalm of the Word is a prayer and a promise saying, "Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!" (Psalm 119:2-5, NLT)
Knowing who we ‘in Christ’ will lead us to lives of integrity, people who live without shadows. By contrast, if we live one way at church, another way at home, and yet another way at work- we will become, in the words of James, “double-minded” and therefore, “unstable in all our ways."
At the outset of 2024, lets take up the challenge of knowing the truth of God, living in regular worship and fellowship with other Christians so we grow in understanding. May a growing self-awareness lead us to a new hunger for the Word and the Spirit so that we have a solid foundation. Jesus says “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25, NIV)
Take some time for reflection, silent thought, perhaps with pen and paper in hand to help you with the process. Even better, if you have a trusted friend, take time to take the conversation to a deeper level that will help you to grow. We are never too old to learn and grow in grace!
The word from the Word for today is a great Psalm. Read it prayerfully.
"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.
But
they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail.
Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3, NLT) What promise is found in those words. Lord, lead us. Amen.
(Video of this blog at this link)
____________________
Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You
Jesus the name above ev'ry
other name
Jesus the only one who could ever save
Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe
We live for You We live for You
Holy there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are
And fill me with Your heart
And lead me in Your love to those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett
© 2016 Kaple Music; Capitol CMG Genesis; Housefires Sounds; Said And Done Music; sixsteps Music; Thankyou Music; Vamos Publishing; worshiptogether.com songs; Martin, Karl Andrew; Bethel Music Publishing
CCLI License # 810055
