Time For A Checkup
Time For A Checkup
Audio Version Coming Soon!
When we’re going, going, going it is easy to get caught up in getting through our day. We get so busy that we often forget to take time to get focused on God’s plan for our life that day. Sometimes we jump into the day with both feet hitting the ground running with so much to do and wanting to accomplish it all and then some.
But, in our doing do we miss some of the most important things? Are we so determined to get things done that we are impatient, or abrupt? It is too easy to say just one more thing or the day got away from me, can we do it later. How about we’re so frazzled we go off in a huff or excoriate someone for not meeting our expectations. Any of these sound or feel familiar?
When we start our day with God in mind and His focus for our lives; that day, things go better. They just do.
It’s time to check the temperature of our character; the “metal” of who we are and whose we are. The best way to see how we’re doing is found in Galatians. Paul tells us what happens when we live God’s way:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
There are those that say a person’s character is revealed when under significant pressure. Another way to consider this truth, is when under pressure, is there fruit in our lives? Do we respond to the stress in our circumstances or the people we meet with peace inside of us? Is that peace then reflected in how we conduct ourselves in all facets of our life?
The goal isn’t perfection in our lives. The goal is that we become more of a reflection of God in this world every day. Even with the Holy Spirit, it is easy to get off track. So God provides us with the tools to help us identify where we are in our walk with Him and our walk with each other.
In the Message version it says:
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things, life, affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.”
Galatians 5:22 MSG
What is our perspective in the morning when we get out of bed? Are we excited to see what our day will hold or dread? When we look outside of ourselves and we are determined to live it with purpose and grace; then, we find serenity, joy, and peace. These become a part of the fabric of our character. When we are willing to allow God’s agenda to become ours, then we find that steadfastness, perseverance, and dependability become unmistakable character qualities in everything we do.
When we intentionally live our lives focused on being an instrument, the hands and feet of Jesus here in this world, we find that we gain a gentleness and compassion with those we meet. There comes a willingness to put people above convenience in the rhythm of our day. We are able to see principles above personalities and act on that.
As God takes a more prominent place in our daily routine we find ourselves thinking less about our wants and more about peoples needs. When we do that we are poised to make a difference in this world more specifically in peoples lives.
This is a life changer!
God will help us with our needs. But, when we consider other people’s needs before our wants peoples’ lives will change…
It isn’t that we aren’t responsible for our jobs or family or daily commitments. In fact, the opposite is true. What changes is how we do those things. Is our reflection of God present in those places? If so we will influence those around us with love, understanding, and compassion and is known for dependability and trustworthiness.
Paul continues on:
“We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”
Galatians 5:22b MSG
When we decide first thing in the morning what our focus will be, as the day ends, we can look back and see not only who we are but whose we are. We can evaluate our response to the day by using the fruit of the Spirit as a plum line regarding our character. It is not only what we do but how we do it that measures our character and determine whose interest was really in control.
How we direct our energies determines how we affect those around us, negative or positive. Are we in control of our emotions, attitudes, and actions; or do we allow our emotions and attitudes to control our actions? When it is all about “me” the latter prevails. We are then weak in our core; we can then be controlled by circumstance not by an underlying conviction of God’s principles.
Jesus said there are only two commands: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. That is it.
We get a good picture of our relationship to God and to one another through the fruit of the Spirit and the two great commands of Christ. We lay Christ’s commands down as to what we are to do in our life and then measure how we are doing them by the fruit of the Spirit.
Paul says:
“Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.”
Galatians 5:23-24 MSG
Paul is telling us to “get over ourselves” as there is so much more to a life full of purpose and focus. When we do, we have more satisfaction and peace than we could imagine. Living with passion and purpose has a price…and a reward. The reward is far greater than we could ever imagine in spite of our circumstances.
Are we willing to lay our own way down? Are you willing to take the time to “test the metal” of whom and whose you are? Do the evaluation; lay down the two commands from Jesus: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. Then use the fruit of the Spirit to see how you are doing.
