"the me I want to be" Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Find Out How You Grow

Reflections

"The Bible does not say you are God's appliance; it says you are his masterpiece. Appliances get mass-produced. Masterpieces get hand-crafted."

What an awesome perspective to adopt!? There is a stark difference between an appliance and a masterpiece. The way they are created, treated, shared, engaged, valued, ... the list goes on. It is important to think about how God perceives each one of us. We have to perceive ourselves that way too. There is not a one size fits all approach to our lives, our circumstance, our spiritual devotion and discipline. Engage in those things that feed you when it comes to devoting time to God. This doesn't mean that discipline is easy...
its DISCIPLINE! But don't try to fit a script, plan, or time table that God has not directed for your life. Let him work in you and through you in his way. He created you...you are his MASTERPIECE! Hand-crafted with a purpose beyond a task, with care and attention.


Quotes

"He had Abraham take a walk, Elijah take a nap, Joshua take a lap, and Adam take the rap. He gave Moses a forty-year time out, he gave David a harp and a dance, and he gave Paul a pen and a scroll. He wrestled with Jacob, argued with Job, whispered to Elijah, warned Cain, and comforted Hagar. He gave Aaron an altar, Miriam a song, Gideon a fleece, Peter a name, and Elisha a mantle. Jesus was stern with the rich young ruler, tender with the woman caught in adultery, patient iwth the disciples, blistering with the scribes, gentle with the children, and gracious with the thief on the cross. God never grows two people the same way. God is a hand-crafter, not a mass-producer."

"The main measure of your devotion to God is not your devotional life, it is simply your life."

"What makes an activity spiritual is not the activity itself. It is whether or not I do it with and through the Spirit. It the quality of the presence and interaction with the Spirit while I am doing the activity."

"Freedom is the goal of growth...Spiritual practices are always about freedom. Also, freedom is needed for the path to growth...The same is true for spiritual growth: You are free to find the path that helps you best. However, freedom is not the same as self-indulgence...I cannot grow in the Spirit if, as Paul says, I use my freedome to indulge the sinful nature. When I am away of my signature sins, I am less vulnerable to them."

"God's goal is not a perfect attendance record; it is a community of people who actually want to be in community."