Seeing and responding to life situations from God’s frame of reference.
Character Bookshelf Series, Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
Please Share! In the comments section below, let us know what you learned and tell your success stories from the last week of practicing truthfulness. Also, we’d love to read your ideas of how we might exercise wisdom between now and next Superpower Sunday!
This week’s Super-Character skill is Truthfulness:
Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts.
Character Bookshelf Series, Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Ephesians 4:25
Please Share! In the comments section below, let us know what you learned and tell your success stories from the last week of practicing thoroughness. Also, we’d love to read your ideas of how we might exercise truthfulness between now and next Superpower Sunday!
This week’s Super-Character skill is Thoroughness:
Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected.
Character Bookshelf Series, Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Proverbs 18:15
Please Share! In the comments section below, let us know what you learned and tell your success stories from the last week of practicing sincerity. Also, we’d love to read your ideas of how we might exercise thoroughness between now and next Superpower Sunday!
Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives.
Character Bookshelf Series, Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
1 Peter 1:22
Please Share! In the comments section below, let us know what you learned and tell your success stories from the last week of practicing sensitivity. Also, we’d love to read your ideas of how we might exercise sincerity between now and next Superpower Sunday!
Exercising my senses so that I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me.
Character Bookshelf Series, Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Romans 12:15
Please Share! In the comments section below, let us know what you learned and tell your success stories from the last week of practicing self-control. Also, we’d love to read your ideas of how we might exercise sensitivity between now and next Superpower Sunday!
The other day my granddaughter said to me, “Mima, did you know I have a boyfriend at school?” I blinked the astonishment out of my eyes and cocked my head with interested confusion. She’s five. I hadn’t planned this conversation until well into the future.
Her words flooded my mind with questions. The one that screamed its way to the front was “How do you know about boyfriends?” but I decided not to verbalize it just yet.
Instead, I went with “No, I didn’t know that. What’s his name?”
“I don’t know”, she responded.
“You have a boyfriend, and you don’t know his name?” I was beginning to relax.
“No, I don’t actually have him yet”, she said. “That is just what I plan to do.”
“Oh, do you have anyone in particular in mind?” I wondered.
“Not yet. But I do know a lot of boys.”
I was relieved and a bit distraught, but more than anything, I was amused. This precious child was making plans for something she knows very little about and talking as if she had already accomplished it.
“Silly girl!” I thought. But then I quickly realized, “Oh dear, I’ll bet she gets that compulsiveness from me.”
I think that way. I decide on something for my future and it’s pretty much a done deal in my head. And when I tell God my plans, His face probably looks a lot like mine did; astonished eyes, head cocked in playful dispute.
“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
Woody Allen
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
I really do like to have settled plans and a direction to be heading. I do not enjoy that feeling when things are ‘up in the air’. But it is one thing to make plans, and quite another to allow the plans to make me. Sometimes I get in a hurry for the future and rush out in front of the Lord. I make decisions and begin acting upon them with tunnel vision as if they were in charge.
Photo by Jess Bailey Designs
I’m working on it. God is working in me. He spoke to me about it a few years back and I wrote this little rhyme in response. It helps to read it every now and then to remind myself to ‘stay in my lane’ so to speak.
Ask Instead of Tell
I wake up in the morning, the "list" commands my day.
I quickly show it to the Lord and ask He bless my way.
He wraps His arms around me and brings me to my knees,
And lovingly requests I "let go of my plans, please".
He says "Thank you for inviting Me to join with you today,
But things will go much smoother, if we live this day My way."
Its important to remember, with my schedule I'd do well,
To take it all before the Lord and ask instead of tell!
I do believe it is ok with God – I’d even go so far as to say it is wise before God – to have direction for my future. But the key is to hold it loosely. I can make plans as long as my plans don’t make me. They are not in charge. I don’t want to be so invested that I can’t be flexible when God’s plans require a different direction than the one in which I was heading.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Corrie Ten Boom
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm for ever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Psalm 33:11
Photo by Kaboompics.com
Right now, I have 1-year, 5-year, and ‘down the line’ plans for which I am consistently laying ground work. But honestly, I don’t know if I’ll live that long or whether God has different priorities for me. If the past is any indication, He’s chuckling at what I envision, knowing how different it is from His perfect vision.
And that’s pretty exciting when I stop and think about it. The Christian life is definitely an adventure. I need to relax a bit and enjoy it more.
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’
James 4:13-15
“…in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
Benjamin Franklin
So far, Benjamin Franklin has been correct, but I’d narrow my declaration a bit further. The only thing I can say about my future with absolute certainty is that I’m going to see Jesus face to face. That is the joy of my salvation. I’m thankful that the one thing I know for sure is such a glorious thing.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
I want to live in such a way as to influence my granddaughter to say, “Mima, did you know I’m planning to have a boyfriend at school?”
To which I can reply, “I hope this is at least a 10-year plan! Let’s pray about it.” I’m sure boys will come and go from her life, but I consistently pray that Jesus will always have her heart.
I would love to help her make plans, but I don’t want to see plans make her – unless they are God’s plans. If He is in charge of her life, that is the best I can ask for. His plans give her the future she was created to live!
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“Oh Lord, please guide me to be the example you want me to be. I desire that my plans for the future always bend to yours, and for you to always have charge over me. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.”
Mama Lava's Back Porch 