Minimizing our Love

I realize I live selfishly and really try to minimize knowing people.

That sounds harsh, but I know it can be true.
In general, I'm pretty friendly.
I'm not purposely rude, but I find that I am not always purposely friendly.

For example, I will just say "how's it going" when greeting someone at the coffee bar in the morning, instead of asking them a personal question to get to know them.

When driving, I am in my own world. Other cars (and drivers) are just an obstacle to overcome.
The "do unto others" rule doesn't apply.

When I pull in from work and see the neighbor in the yard, I could get out and talk. Or I can pull my car in quickly and get in the house. I'm tired and want to spend time with my family, but should I pass up an opportunity to get to know someone better?

Maybe for you it is upon hearing your friend lost her mother, you make a quick call to tell her you are sorry and ask if there is anything you can do. When you really should be on your way to be with her, instead of worrying about being out late or missing your down time that evening.

Maybe there is someone you work with that really gets on your nerves. He comes into your office at 4:59pm, and start telling you about his weekend plans which hold no interest for you. Do you abruptly cut him off so you can beat traffic? Or do you take that opportunity get deeper with him and see what is going on in his life?

I think it comes down to either loving other people or not loving them. When we choose to put ourselves before others, we are not loving them.

I know it is tough to determine how much to give of yourself. You do have to take care of yourself. You have to make a living, spend time with family, take care of the house, etc. If you don't have your life in order, then you realistically will not have much to offer other people.

The question ultimately is Why should we love others? Because the bible says so?? Well, yes. But why does Jesus encourage a life of love for others?
By loving, we get past our own selfishness. This of course is one of our biggest barriers to oneness with God.

It goes both ways.
When we live a life after God's heart, we will love people.
When we love people, we find ourselves living a life after God's heart.

My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. -- 1 John 3:18

Praying is Hard

Some days, I do not feel close to God.

I don't find myself desiring His presence.
I know I should, but I don't know how to flip a switch and be right in tune with Him.
It's not that I want to run from Him. I really want to run closer to Him. But I lack the energy or motivation to make it happen.

And these times when I do not feel like praying, can't get in the praying mindset, and am unable to be excited about praying...
this is when I really do need to spend time talking with God.
And this may not be a prayer of thankfulness for blessings. This sometimes needs to be a desperate request asking God to be real and alive in me.

Our relationship with God is not an emotional one. We can be pumped up by a great time of musical worship or an awesome sermon that really inspires us.
Likewise, we can be having a really difficult day or period of life which strips our joy away. Neither extreme should affect our God relationship. Truly living a life of worship should never be about how we feel. I guess if we find this happening, then we should reevaluate ourselves.

I am not suggesting that our corporate worship time should be void of emotion. I definitely think we can and should be moved during these times. But are these times an event? Does our life and mindset "come back to reality" when the worship time is over? Do we only experience the "worship time" on Sundays?
I plan to say much more on this in the future, but be thinking about these questions.

Back to praying...
JUST DO IT!

Seriously, living for God is not easy. A life reflecting His glory can be elusive. Just ask God to help you. Sometimes, that is the only thing we can pray. Trust in Him a little.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. -- Romans 8:26

Name This Blog

I am currently working on naming this blog.
If you have any suggestions, send them along. Don't be mad if I don't use yours, though.