Day 29

I have been reading and memorizing Proverbs 1 for a while now, and I find it very interesting how the very counsel I am reading about I am also struggling with. This also goes hand in hand with the post I put on here earlier about prayer. I used to always pray for my struggles to disappear and in the same prayer ask for things like patience and strength. I had completely over looked the fact that you can't gain any of that without having something to be patient or strong for. 

     I am reading a book that discusses how in order for things to grow to their maximum potential they must have the proper environment in which to grow. This transfers into the Christian realm as well. As Christians we need to have the right God centered environment to gain our max potential. 

     The first aspect to a healthy God centered environment that this book talks about is order. We see form the very beginning of creation the God is a God of order. He created things just so in order for it all work out. He also wants us to live a life with order. In fact if we don't live a life of order then we will spin circles going absolutely nowhere. And causing a lot of misery on those around us. 

     Second is calm. A chaotic atmosphere produces stress, while a peaceful atmosphere cultivates an atmosphere that will rejuvenate the body and spirit. But that doesn't mean you sit around all day doing nothing. No. Calmness does not mean the absence of activity, but rather the clear reality of God being in control at all times. The realization of God being in control of all things at all times has completely changed the way I live my life. In a sense you could say that I live a care free life. God is in control.

     Sanctuary. I know that if you are like me you love to be around people, but this is not always the best. It is vital for us to creat a sanctuary that we can escape to- a quite place where we can think, meditate, pray, study, and be still. A sanctuary is required to grow in intimacy with Jesus Christ. 

     Fourth is love. If you are not showing love, then you are being selfish, and that creates spiritual disaster. Jesus showed us the important of showing love when he died on the cross. We must always be willing to step out of our comfort zone to help those in need. Sacrifice or own desires and wants to make sure those around us are satisfied. 

     Smile! The fifth aspect is laughter. This may seem odd to you to be an aspect of a godly life, but it is just as important as the rest. A healthy humorous lifestyle provides refreshment to the soul and health to the body. Life has a lot of problems which requires us to be very serious, but a victorious life looks at circumstances through Gods eyes. And when we do look through Gods eyes we are calm and confident, living with a smile, no matter how impossible the current situation seem. 

    The final aspect the book covers is purity. This for most is the hardest. A healthy and holy lifestyle must be kept pure from the stain of the world. We often wonder why the world doesn't want to follow Christians, in most cases this is because we participate in the very same activities the rest of the world does, and therefore reap the same rewards. That's not to say Christians can't enjoy things, but rather the source of our joy should be different then that of the worlds. 

    These principals have really changed my outlook on life. I have lived so long with out them, yet they are so simple. I think if I had to I could some it up by saying the difference is our dependence of God. If we are not depending on God, then we are depending on the world, and it will let you down every time! 

    "Trust in The Lord with all your might, lean not on your own understanding, and He shall direct your path".