Day 63 "Steering One's Life in the Direction of God's Ways"

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8

There are numerous books, tapes, and videos on self-help topics. By 2020, the industry is expected to reach $13 billion dollars. It is evident that many people are looking for ways to look better, be better, and perform better. But much of what you will see, hear, or read will be tainted from a worldly point of view only- not giving any credence to a spiritual existence or a life to live after this one. So, most of what you will read and discover will mostly focus on the here and now. In 2019, $563 billion dollars was spent around the world advertising trying to get us on board to buying particular goods and services. Much of it targeted at meeting the needs of "self." We are a consumer orientated society. And, unfortunatly, much of it focuses on our own egos and insecurities.

Most of my working career, for over twenty-five years, I worked as an investment adviser. During that time, I attended a variety of seminars trying to build up my business and my clientele. What I heard most often while attending those seminars were two things: 1) What are your goals? and 2) How much do you desire to see those goals fulfilled? "Write down your goals", "Place them where you can see them," "Look at them daily," "Continue to keep them before you," were just some of the things I heard again and again. When we write down our goals, we allow our minds to bring into focus the things that are important to us, things we want to accomplish and achieve. This helps us quite a bit for we are a performance driven society.

But as I quickly approach the 65 year old milestone in my life, realizing how brief my life has been in the rear view mirror, I find myself asking another question: Why? Why do I do what I do? Why did I do what I did for those many years? For most of my life I think I have just been following the American dream just like everyone else: go off to college and get an education, establish oneself in one's career, find a mate to travel through this life with and have a family, gather assets including one's home, build towards retirement and planning for your children's education, provide for one's dwindling health and care for older years, plan for my death and passing on of my assets. Some of us have been fortunate enough to have been mentored in giving back to our community, to care about others. A lot of us, however, grew up more free lanced and trying to figure things out on our own, mostly being led by what the world does around us and acting out our part in the "herd-like" mentality, just following the crowd.

But in the midst of living out our lives, Jesus asks a thought-provoking question:

"What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:26

Jesus continues to challenge us further in our thinking:

"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." John 12:25

Jesus never really addressed trying to master this life and make it one full of comfort and ease. On the contrary, Jesus' focus was on teaching us how to love and to prepare our hearts and will for his kingdom to come. Hard to do, isn't it, while we are right in the heart of it all- that is, living out our lives? But that's just what he wants us to do! In the midst of living, living out our lives in such a way that causes our spirit inside to grow and mature, all the while seasoning our hearts and will to learn how to love. We have often heard that we can't take anything with us when we die. So, why do we live this life? Why would God set up this life's experience for us before his spiritual kingdom is set up? I believe it is to establish the control of self-will and to teach us about love and loving others. Neither of which, if you think about it, diminishes us in our pursuit of living out this life and providing for our families. In fact, I will contend that it enhances are life by providing a deeper meaning for the motivation for why we do what we do. Being transformed within by seeking after God's thoughts and ways expands our awareness and understanding away from things that are merely temporary in nature to develop a mindset that is eternally focus filled with love and compassion towards the world around us.

"Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

There is nothing like hardship to reveal the real nature of our hearts and our desires. The Coronavirus that has descended upon us has yet to reveal our real natures under great adversity. The medical authorities tell us that the worst is still yet to come. Oh, there are already some families who who have been brought to heartache and down to their knees by loss of family members. But for the majority of us, the virus still remains an inconvenience and temporary loss of income. We are just experiencing the shortage of toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizers where we are unable to find them anywhere around despite the fact that some of the pricing of such items have tripled or quadrupled in price! In the next few weeks and months, we will encounter the real us. My hope is that we will continue to see some of the best in people that we have seen-people caring and looking out for one another. This is what Jesus taught us and encouraged us to do. Our possessions are just things to be used, not items simply to be owned, coveted and hoarded. Jesus spoke much on being a steward and the caring for others.

As we march forward, together, into the difficult days that lay ahead, let us unite our hearts towards helping one another and looking at the world around us with an eternal mindset. Let us consider the "why" in what do and encourage others to do the same.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,"

Hebrews 10:24

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."

Lao Tzu

Food for thought: Give thought to your ways. In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)