Most of us will have changed up through the work and energy gears now that the New Year of 2014 is well into its stride.
In reflecting on a conversation, I asked myself the question, “Are my actions flowing out of who I really am, or are they bolstering my confidence about who I think I am, and who others think I am?”
A new year with its wide horizon of possibilities and opportunities beckons us to make a difference, move into action and push life’s accelerator pedal. Looked at from one perspective, amen, so we should.
For me, this year offers a unique opportunity to take a slightly different view. I am still excited about life’s possibilities and opportunities, but without the challenge of significant responsibility and seemingly endless demand for the time, talent and treasure from myself and those I served.
What do I see in looking from this new place? First; that some things are even more important, that some are much less important, and that some are a waste of time; as Ecclesiastes 1:18 says”…a chasing after the wind…”. If this is true, I need to discern the difference and invest appropriately.
Next, also in Ecclesiastes 1, Solomon says, “…the eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing…” (1:8). They are restless, unsatisfied, wanting more, and different, and more; by way of contrast I have found myself praying an old prayer most days;
“Teach me, O Lord, to see thee more clearly, to love thee more dearly, and to follow thee more nearly, day by day. Amen.”
My third reflection is, what does love and loving really look like? Most of us won’t need much convincing that it is nothing to do with the self-serving, lust filled narratives of our popular culture. We do however need to guard against that culture encroaching on our lives and loves. Dorothy, my wife, has had significant pain from a trapped sciatic nerve during the last 4 months and has sometimes found it difficult when I have looked after her needs because she is so used to taking care of my needs. But, really, and I don’t want to sound pious or good, it has been easy, for the actions of loving are because I love her. I have often read and thought about the words of Bernard of Clairvaux in Loving God, where he describes four degrees of love:
- Loving ourselves for our own sake.
- Loving God for His gifts and blessings.
- Loving God for Himself alone.
- Loving ourselves for the sake of God.
Where do I find myself on the Richter scale of love? I leave you to determine what stage best reflects your present position.
Finally, I know this; when I give myself enough time to see Him more clearly, it becomes much easier to love Him more dearly and the outworking actions, called loving, will help me follow Him more nearly. I can rest in His love knowing “I am in the beloved”. All my loving actions, including loving myself, will flow out of who I am in Him.
So, onward with the actions of your day, but please keep stopping for long enough to see Him, and discover more of who you are in Him. It will make everything else so much easier…
cialis 20mg generic
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
buy ciprofloxacin online
500 Internal Server Error
viagra for sale
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
albuterol inhaler generic walmart
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
naltrexone purchase
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
generic viagra rx
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
can i buy chloroquine over the counter
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
hydroxychloroquine diphosphate
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
ed pills online usa
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis online
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
best time to take viagra 50mg
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
substitute for lumigan eye drops
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
how long does cialis last
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
buy hydroxychloroquine online
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cheap essay help
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
generic viagra
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
side effects of cialis
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
buy cialis online
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
canadian pharmacy cialis
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
best place to buy viagra online
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
do you need a prescription for viagra
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
viagra 100mg
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
viagra canada
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
mexican pharmacy online medications
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
best canadian pharmacy
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
mexican pharmacies shipping to usa
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
costco pharmacy pricing
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
canadian prescription drugstore
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
viagra
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis super active real online store
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
buying cialis online in australia
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis and pay pal
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis 10mg pills
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
buy generic viagra online
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
health care products
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
where to buy cialis in calgary safely
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis meilleur prix
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
buy essays online safe
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
help with thesis statement
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
reviews for essay writing services
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
dissertations writing services
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
phd no thesis
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
write my college essay for me
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
college essay proofreading service
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
writing the dissertation
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
custom application essay
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
help with a paper
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
wallmart cialis
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
generic cialis with dapoxetine 80mg x 10 tabs
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis supr active
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
canadian prescription drugs
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
shoppers drug mart pharmacy
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis overnight shipping canada
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love
cialis tadalafil 5mg lilly
davidshearman.com – The Richter Scale of Love