Up to that point, it has been head-knowledge that had never made it to my heart. I had heard the story so many times in church, but never really engaged with it. I remember sitting and thinking about the prodigal son when I was in my 20s.
#WHAT DOES RAPT MEAN PROFESSIONAL#
How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your obsession? And why should it be ours? He hasn’t always revealed the destination, and good works occur even in perceived failures.
I have Ephesians 2:10 engraved on my eyeglasses to remind me that he has set good works in my path to walk through. Days when I live out that truth are days of peace. Not because they knew the results, but because they were called. I realized, though, that the people I admired the most followed the peace of the Lord no matter where it led. I know too well that failure is always something that can happen in any venture (no matter if I felt the Lord was in it or not.) Will this business be successful? Will there be a market for this project? Is this scene funny? Is this character relevant? My expectations are focused on the moment, the goals I have set forth, and the way others will perceive success. It is easy for me to become exhausted and discouraged because something may not meet my expectations.
This question has led to many moments of paralysis. As a person with big ideas and enough vision to get me in trouble, how am I supposed to balance my expectations with God's power? I believe that nothing is impossible for God and yet I see failure as true as anything else in life. Expectations, to me, have always been a double-edged sword. One of the layers is balancing your expectations. What does it mean to follow the peace of the Lord? There are many layers to that question. So what’s your kryptonite and how do you hide it? But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. Question No.3: Confess.Įvery superhero has a weakness. My faith can benefit from this same approach as I persevere to finish the race. They force you to pursue prudence, balance, and above all, wisdom to make moves that achieve your goal. One thing I’ve learned from my love for strategy games is that you must consider all the relevant information before making a move. Relaxation can become escapism hobbies can become identity interests can become obsessions. An idol is something that turns our focus on it and away from God.
Anything we use to bring reprieve from the weights of the world that are not refocusing us on Christ can become an idol. This can be a welcome reprieve from the realities of the unsolved problems we face each day.īut there’s a danger in it as well. They allow me to use the faculties of my mind without risking a lack of resolution. Games are wonderful because they present problems and solutions all in one sitting. And yet many problems can’t be solved, and at times, it’s exhausting to live in the tension of the unresolved. Life is filled with problems, and as the person responsible for my life, I’m the one who needs to solve those problems as best I can. Games on the tabletop or my desktop computer are a wonderful outlet for me to relax and recharge. This is because they’re all board games, and I love a good game. I find Dominion, Risk, and Scythe very gratifying. So what are yours? What so-called "nonspiritual" activities do you love and help you find spiritual renewal? We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. Find people with needs and change their relationships with and impressions of Jesus and the church. It is a reminder to me that this is what Christ did for us, and what we are called to do for others. Even someone who is your enemy can be changed if you meet their personal needs that arise through circumstances. It’s an interesting event in my mind because it speaks to the way a mind is changed. The availability (and willingness) to provide for that need changed our relationship with and impression of this restaurant. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and our experience at the restaurant completely changed.Īt that moment, our prior experience of dissatisfaction was altered because of present needs. The only catch was it was a chain restaurant that we didn't particularly care for in the past. It was my anniversary and after weeks-or months or however long it had been-there was an option for indoor dining. Few events have changed all of us collectively as much as the pandemic and few people have changed our lives individually more than our spouses. There are many great spots to get a memorable taste infusion, but in my life, going out to eat is about people and events. I've lived in a small suburb in Riverside, California, for more than 30 years. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio? There's much more to food than palate and preference.