I’m the type of writer who knows where I’m going and then will back up and develop a story or thought that will get me there. I know other writers do it differently, but this isn’t their blog. It’s mine (and yours if you want to post a comment: hint).
The way I write is also how I approach life. I want to know what I’m trying to accomplish and how what I do each day will get it done.
For the past few years I’ve composed New Year’s resolution entries in my personal journals. But now that I have a blog I’ll delve into my thoughts this year.
In 2004 I felt God communicated to me the need for me to be obedient. So the word that year was Obedience.
In 2005 the word was discipline. I needed to be disciplined in my obedience. It’s one thing to take out the trash because your dad tells you to and reminds you constantly. Its quite another to discipline oneself to take out the trash every day without being reminded. And its even more to take it a step further and empty all the trash cans in the house, take it out on time and not make a big deal about it.
Unfortunately for my dad his four sons were obedient when reminded. None of us ever made it to the second level, much less the third.
So the idea that God impressed upon me was that I needed to discipline myself and go above and beyond the responsive obedience to the initiative kind. When you know someone’s heart (in the case of the trash, my dad just wanted us to take responsibility and serve our family) then you can obey without even being told. Admittedly this takes a lot of effort.
The obvious question arises at this point: So was I disciplined in my obedience. And as is true for every New Year’s resolution that I’ve ever made – sorta.
Never did bat a thousand but never struck out completely.
So what can I do this year to increase my average? Eventually discipline and obedience break down if the goal is not kept in site or the relationship faulters.
For 2006 the word is: Focus. I need to Focus on God. I need to rebuild and rekindle that relationship. The simplest way to explain what I need to do is I need to seek God’s face.
Okay, now that was cheesy spiritual mumble jumbo if I ever heard it. It pained me in college (I went to a Christian university) when people would talk spiritualese and say a lot … while saying nothing at the same time.
So to interpret in the common vernacular. If I’m going to love my wife I need to spend time with her and all that entails (except for the part that I’m mostly interested in).
When we approach God many people want The Experience of God. They want the feelings, the power, the miracles, the signs. But what does God want? He tells us He wants our hearts. He wants us to listen to Him. If you can’t see the obvious parallels then you aren’t married yet.
God is like the ultimate pure and chaste princess. Notice I said “Like.” No fatwas please.
If we want the Experience of God, we must first fight the dragon, prove our worth and pay the dowry.
So what I’m trying to say is to focus on God I’ve got to come to Him on His terms. For each of us the terms may be different. For me they’re pretty simple. I need to set aside time each day to read the Bible, pray and listen. And while the 15 second flare prayer and occasional devotional reading have kept me obedient in coming to God, I haven’t been disciplined or focused.
Going back to the entry’s title: So what is the point?
Its good to be obedient. Its good to be discplined. But unless we know why we are being disciplined and obedient we will lose the energy and drive. This is where focus comes in. When we focus on something it becomes easier to maintain the discipline that is required to reach it.
For me my focus will be a trident. Focus on my relationship with God. Focus on my vocation (both teaching and my media projects). And Focus on my Wife and Children.
This will upset many but if I were to order them in importance I would list them as follows (greatest to least):
Family
God
Vocation
Now did I write that because I know that my wife may eventually read this entry? Not entirely, though I do hope it gets me some brownie points.
The bigger question is why isn’t God first? I’ve put my family in front of God for two reasons.
God told me to (1 John 4:20)
I prove my love for God by how I treat the people He has blessed me with.
Besides, when it comes down to it I’ve experienced God most when I’m serving others. And I think that is how He wants it to be.
So the point of my life is simple: My wife and children (Nate, Anna, Abby, TBA and TBD). If someone ever does a biography of my life I hope my family is the main attraction, followed closely by my relationship with God. My vocation, dreams and visions are just a facade if the substance of the home is missing.
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