I received a copy of Paul David Tripp's book "A Quest for More" for Mother's Day--at first blush not exactly a Mother's Day kind of gift. But Mandy recommended it and I decided to give it a try. As I finish each chapter, I will attempt to answer the chapter final question honestly. Pray for me!!
Finished chapter 1. Thought provoking question:
What is the big thing I am living for right now?
I am not really sure. I mean part of me says I am just living to die in God's time. To get through each day and not be sad. To try to not be overwhelmed by every day occurrences or problems like broken refrigerators. I'd like to help young moms or unwed pregnant girls. To make friends in our new home town who actually want to spend time w me. Would love to have a noble grandiose thing to live for but I just don't know how. Mostly I just think of answering "I live for my family...because I love them with an intensity hard to describe. "
Wonder what chapter 2 has in store?
Settling for less? Chapter 2 begins by explaining how sin causes us to look for more but settle for less, and delves into how human beings (ummm...me!) are willing to trade paradise and the transcendent glory that is God for everyday fillers. Items like family, power, security, health, etc., all of which are important but they only offer fleeting satisfaction. See we were created to glorify our creator. So we are not complete unless we do just that. Chapter 2's final question:
WHAT IS THE LESS THAT TENDS TO CAPTURE YOUR ATTENTION?
Wow...gulp. Self pity. My pain level. Being right. Getting things done. Sometimes I am so willing to just settle for being a mediocre Christian, for not putting myself out there for others. I sometimes minimize what I ask God to do, lower my expectations. Not expect miracles. So yeah, I settle for a less miraculous God.
What a perfect segue into the next chapter, which starts off asking...
Have you ever wanted to be God?
Let's start out with the final question at the end of chapter 3:
HAVE YOU TREATED THE SIZE OF GOD'S GRACE AS IF IT WERE NO BIGGER THAN THE SIZE OF YOUR PERSONAL CONCERNS?
I've touched on that already, the tendency to place limits on God's grace and greatness. THIS goes even deeper though, and struck a small nerve. I do tend to act as if the grace God has bestowed on me is just enough for (and specifically intended for) my little problems. Grace to cover my sins, my weaknesses, and my trials. Grace to bless only me and my small circle of family and friends. In truth, God's grace is as vast as creation itself, and intended for all of Hos creation. We did not earn it--it simply is. And to minimize and downplay the extent of what His grace can cover cheapens God Himself and makes light of what God can do.
We all do this...when asked how we are doing we say "blessed" meaning, usually, the "good" things we have received. I very seldom enumerate HOW I am blessed, and I never used to talk about my trials and hardships as a blessing. When in fact everything in a Christian's life is a blessing, regardless of our perspective. When we pray we tend to ask God to be the Mr Fix-it in our screwed up lives. To jump in and attend to our concerns. Instead, I should be asking for guidance in my part in this huge creation, and praying for matters outside of my own personal sphere. Sure I would love to resolve conflict in my family relationships, to have health and security, to not be depressed or sick. But I trivialize God our Creator when I treat God as my own personal magic genii or Santa Claus.
Hmmm...am I trying to build my own kingdom??? Instead of seeking for my role in God's kingdom?
I have spent three weeks contemplating the meaning of this chapter...and its overarching question--what anxiety based needs and earth based treasures shape my focus ? What kingdom do I fight to maintain? Self, money, relationships, pride? The answer is not pretty nor flattering. I worry about being right or being liked. I spend more time promoting my views than those of God's big kingdom. Not always, but a lot. And it's humbling. I have set myself up as ruler of my own kingdom instead of a servant of Jesus' eternal kingdom.
Makes me think a lot. I must tear down my kingdom and give it all to Him.
Finished chapter 1. Thought provoking question:
What is the big thing I am living for right now?
I am not really sure. I mean part of me says I am just living to die in God's time. To get through each day and not be sad. To try to not be overwhelmed by every day occurrences or problems like broken refrigerators. I'd like to help young moms or unwed pregnant girls. To make friends in our new home town who actually want to spend time w me. Would love to have a noble grandiose thing to live for but I just don't know how. Mostly I just think of answering "I live for my family...because I love them with an intensity hard to describe. "
Wonder what chapter 2 has in store?
Settling for less? Chapter 2 begins by explaining how sin causes us to look for more but settle for less, and delves into how human beings (ummm...me!) are willing to trade paradise and the transcendent glory that is God for everyday fillers. Items like family, power, security, health, etc., all of which are important but they only offer fleeting satisfaction. See we were created to glorify our creator. So we are not complete unless we do just that. Chapter 2's final question:
WHAT IS THE LESS THAT TENDS TO CAPTURE YOUR ATTENTION?
Wow...gulp. Self pity. My pain level. Being right. Getting things done. Sometimes I am so willing to just settle for being a mediocre Christian, for not putting myself out there for others. I sometimes minimize what I ask God to do, lower my expectations. Not expect miracles. So yeah, I settle for a less miraculous God.
What a perfect segue into the next chapter, which starts off asking...
Have you ever wanted to be God?
Let's start out with the final question at the end of chapter 3:
HAVE YOU TREATED THE SIZE OF GOD'S GRACE AS IF IT WERE NO BIGGER THAN THE SIZE OF YOUR PERSONAL CONCERNS?
I've touched on that already, the tendency to place limits on God's grace and greatness. THIS goes even deeper though, and struck a small nerve. I do tend to act as if the grace God has bestowed on me is just enough for (and specifically intended for) my little problems. Grace to cover my sins, my weaknesses, and my trials. Grace to bless only me and my small circle of family and friends. In truth, God's grace is as vast as creation itself, and intended for all of Hos creation. We did not earn it--it simply is. And to minimize and downplay the extent of what His grace can cover cheapens God Himself and makes light of what God can do.
We all do this...when asked how we are doing we say "blessed" meaning, usually, the "good" things we have received. I very seldom enumerate HOW I am blessed, and I never used to talk about my trials and hardships as a blessing. When in fact everything in a Christian's life is a blessing, regardless of our perspective. When we pray we tend to ask God to be the Mr Fix-it in our screwed up lives. To jump in and attend to our concerns. Instead, I should be asking for guidance in my part in this huge creation, and praying for matters outside of my own personal sphere. Sure I would love to resolve conflict in my family relationships, to have health and security, to not be depressed or sick. But I trivialize God our Creator when I treat God as my own personal magic genii or Santa Claus.
Hmmm...am I trying to build my own kingdom??? Instead of seeking for my role in God's kingdom?
I have spent three weeks contemplating the meaning of this chapter...and its overarching question--what anxiety based needs and earth based treasures shape my focus ? What kingdom do I fight to maintain? Self, money, relationships, pride? The answer is not pretty nor flattering. I worry about being right or being liked. I spend more time promoting my views than those of God's big kingdom. Not always, but a lot. And it's humbling. I have set myself up as ruler of my own kingdom instead of a servant of Jesus' eternal kingdom.
Makes me think a lot. I must tear down my kingdom and give it all to Him.
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