If you're a Christian, you've probably heard these words and try to avoid being labeled as them. You may only associate these words with stubbornness, apathy, or falseness. In fact, no one really sees these words positively. Its always connected to a negative connotation. The phrase "Going through the motions." But what if I told you that it's biblical to do?
You see what I just typed. Going through the motions has biblical backings. Before you label me a heretic and get out the torches and ropes, let me clarify my point. Going through the motions (which I will now refer to GTM, because for some reason it annoys me to type) is not good when you're doing it to get that feeling or experience, then live your life as it always, unaffected by anything that happened. Using religion as a drug is not what I am recommending. However, how many times have you felt called to something by God, but can't really feel his presence, or it seems like he isn't even there? It's frustrating, and sometimes we will go in search of a religious high to get through it or to confirm our calling is true. That's GTM wrong. Rather, GTM should be used to get you to the place you have to be.
Take the Wise Men. Everyone loves the wise men. A group of guys from the Far East journeying to worship the new born saviour with riches beyond his parents imagination. I especially like them because my dad would make up funny lyrics to "We Three Kings" when I was little. Hey, at least I have a reason. But as I was reading in my Bible one day, I discovered something many people seem to read over:
"...And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went
ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they
saw the star, they were filled with joy!" Matt 2:9-10, NLT
Did you catch it? Matthew says that when the kings saw the star in Bethlehem, they rejoiced. This seemed odd to me. If they had seen it the entire time they were traveling, why would seeing it in Bethlehem be that much more special? Would it not be that they would be filled with joy when they saw the house? Yet it says star.
The conclusion I reached was that there was a time in their journey when they didn't see the star. Obviously during the day, but I would guess at night as well (I would imagine they would travel by night and sleep during the day to follow the star, because that's kinda when stars are visible). What would the wise men thought? "Well, stars gone. I guess we'll go back home." Many of us would say that, but these men had committed to following this star because (I'm sure) they knew it was from God. During this time, though, it would appear like God had left them.
So what did they do? From history, we can say that they continued to Bethlehem, but how hard would it have been to continue their path? How long did they not see the star? They seemed perty darn happy that they star in Bethlehem (which I have never heard described as a magnificent city). So what kept them going?
GTM. They knew that God had given them a star to follow. Many historians (or just random people I hear) believe they were some sort of astronomers rather than kings, so that would help with tracking the star when it could not be seen. But until they saw that star again, they simply had to go through the motions. They weren't looking for spiritual highs. They didn't need a quick fix. They did what God had told them to do, even though he appeared vacant.
Many of us can feel abandoned and switch to look for the spiritual fix. I'll read my Bible every day. I'll raise my hands in worship. I'll lead a Bible study. All of these things are great if you do them regularly. Picking them up when times are tough and dropping them when they get better is meaningless and, frankly, what has caused the negative connotations of GTM. But if we press through the hard times with the skills God has given us to a goal God has called us to, we will get there. All we have to do is have patience and go through the motions.
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Ahhh College
Its that time of year again. The weather gets just a bit colder (then immediately hotter...stupid southern prairies), the green of the land gets a little bit browner and school starts back up again. To many kids in grades 1 to 12...ok maybe 7 to 12...it is a time of agony. And schools don't make in any easier by starting earlier and earlier each year. But for the kids who have graduated high school, it is a time of great mystery and excitement. They get to go to college. Being in my third year at Briercrest College, the excitement lies in seeing all the people you met in the previous years and discovering how many of the kids on the hall you don't know. But for freshman, its a whole new world. For some of these, its scary. And I can understand that. New friends, new teachers, new home, almost a new life. But I am here to tell you that it is the most refreshing thing you will ever experience. It's like a breath of fresh air. No, better yet, its like a breath of pure oxygen. None of that stupid nitrogen.
I can think back onto my first year. I was finally surrounded by people who wanted to hang out with me and do stuff I liked, and I wanted to be around them. Learning stuff that I liked and would directly aid my future. It. Was. AWESOME. But I also can see that there was places in which I could have done things differently. Not that I would, because I am tickled peachy on how things have turned out, but some things that I can warn others to watch out for or do.
See where I'm going with this?
College is a time to figure out who you are. But I have discovered a few universally applicable things that will aid in your journey.
1. Get out. Where? Anywhere. Just don't hide in your room and wait for people. Don't get me wrong, I love my alone time, but to develop relationships with people and figure out which people you like and which ones you want to either avoid or duck tape takes experimentation. So talk to everyone you can. Hang out with people you normally wouldn't. Just go do something.
2. Buy Christmas lights. Dorms can be very dim, especially if you live in a dungeon like basement. Like me. Want some cheap lights that don't turn people into epileptics? The warm glow of Christmas lights are perfect. I have bought a strand of 70 (I think) for each year I've been here. So I have 2 strands. But they're great for times when its night (which actually happens a lot) or you don't want it to be really bright. Also great for movies. And Christmas.
3. Drink coffee. I know its not everyones cup of tea...mainly because its coffee, but you can't avoid it. It will find you. Besides, what are you gonna do when someone (especially if its a very pretty lady) asks if you want to go get some coffee?
"Sorry, I don't drink coffee."
NO
4. Meet girls. Yes, I realize this is more for the guys. But don't be the guy who has no friends that are girls. Because girls are awesome. You will discover that its essential to have girl friends (not girlfriends) to balance dude stupidity. Dupidity (as I will now call it) is present in all guys and is the inner voice that tells us to laugh at fart jokes and punch each other. Controlled, this is fine. Left unchecked, however, and it creates in us the "too old for high school" guy. Those are the guys who you look at and think, "When they will ever grow up?" Don't be that guy. Hang out with girls.
5. Be yourself. Cliche? Oh muchly yes. True? Very. College gives us opportunities to figure out who we are and experiment, but remember who you are. College is different than high school in that any disguises are seen through right away. So don't pretend to be someone your not to impress people. The beauty of college is that you will find people who like you for you. Everyone is basically an equal, no matter year or age or whatever. No more cliques or bullies or popular kids. You can actually do what you do and avoid mockery or judgement. You're free. See? Breath of pure oxygen.
If you remember these 5 tips, you'll be good to go. You'll be able to make the most of your college experience and be able to look back on these years with fondness and appreciation.
Oh ya, doing assignments and tests and stuff is kinda important too. You know, for your career and such. So do that too.
I can think back onto my first year. I was finally surrounded by people who wanted to hang out with me and do stuff I liked, and I wanted to be around them. Learning stuff that I liked and would directly aid my future. It. Was. AWESOME. But I also can see that there was places in which I could have done things differently. Not that I would, because I am tickled peachy on how things have turned out, but some things that I can warn others to watch out for or do.
See where I'm going with this?
College is a time to figure out who you are. But I have discovered a few universally applicable things that will aid in your journey.
1. Get out. Where? Anywhere. Just don't hide in your room and wait for people. Don't get me wrong, I love my alone time, but to develop relationships with people and figure out which people you like and which ones you want to either avoid or duck tape takes experimentation. So talk to everyone you can. Hang out with people you normally wouldn't. Just go do something.
2. Buy Christmas lights. Dorms can be very dim, especially if you live in a dungeon like basement. Like me. Want some cheap lights that don't turn people into epileptics? The warm glow of Christmas lights are perfect. I have bought a strand of 70 (I think) for each year I've been here. So I have 2 strands. But they're great for times when its night (which actually happens a lot) or you don't want it to be really bright. Also great for movies. And Christmas.
3. Drink coffee. I know its not everyones cup of tea...mainly because its coffee, but you can't avoid it. It will find you. Besides, what are you gonna do when someone (especially if its a very pretty lady) asks if you want to go get some coffee?
"Sorry, I don't drink coffee."
NO
4. Meet girls. Yes, I realize this is more for the guys. But don't be the guy who has no friends that are girls. Because girls are awesome. You will discover that its essential to have girl friends (not girlfriends) to balance dude stupidity. Dupidity (as I will now call it) is present in all guys and is the inner voice that tells us to laugh at fart jokes and punch each other. Controlled, this is fine. Left unchecked, however, and it creates in us the "too old for high school" guy. Those are the guys who you look at and think, "When they will ever grow up?" Don't be that guy. Hang out with girls.
5. Be yourself. Cliche? Oh muchly yes. True? Very. College gives us opportunities to figure out who we are and experiment, but remember who you are. College is different than high school in that any disguises are seen through right away. So don't pretend to be someone your not to impress people. The beauty of college is that you will find people who like you for you. Everyone is basically an equal, no matter year or age or whatever. No more cliques or bullies or popular kids. You can actually do what you do and avoid mockery or judgement. You're free. See? Breath of pure oxygen.
If you remember these 5 tips, you'll be good to go. You'll be able to make the most of your college experience and be able to look back on these years with fondness and appreciation.
Oh ya, doing assignments and tests and stuff is kinda important too. You know, for your career and such. So do that too.
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