Revelations of God Through an Ordinary Day

Sometimes it seems when we are searching so hard to find God, we miss him. This week, it was through ordinary daily activities (readings for class and bible study) that God brought up a similar concept that has been convicting me, in these two arenas. It feels almost as if God had to really highlight these areas in my life to capture my attention.

In bible study, our group is working through the book of Romans. This week in chapter 2, we talked about the legalism of the pharisees and the underlying assumption of legalistic thinking that by "doing" we can achieve salvation, or favor from God. However, the scripture degrades this thinking pointing out that it is not simple the doing of works, but a, "matter of the heart, by the Spirit, and not by the letter." It is our mindset and motivation of love, that make our works and God-honoring acts of worship.

I would say that over the years, I at times lean so far on the side of legalism, that I strive for an unobtainable perfection. The things I do are motivated by the fear of "straying from the law" rather than motivated out of love.

It's funny to see how this is starting to align with theoretical models of social work practice that I have been studying. Cognitive theoretical perspective suggests that our actions are determined and dictated by our core beliefs and assumptions. In therapy, we aim to journey with our clients into the identification of these core beliefs and assumptions that can play into our emotions and actions. We work to identify and reconstruct maladaptive beliefs, which in turn impacts a shift emotional regulation. Through Romans, I am seeing Pauls version of cognitive therapy. He is helping the pharisees identify these maladaptive thought patterns, that are motivating and driving their actions. And in the end, it is the core motivator and belief of love that resolves their thinking paradigm into something constructive and God-honoring.

In my Christan Social Work and Theology class, we have an assignment weekly to engage in different forms of spiritual disciplines. We had a discussion about the challenge of mandating spiritual practices. What is our motivation? Is it just for class or is it motivated by a genuine desire to create a space to meet God? I can honestly say, that I am excited to see where God leads through these spiritual disciplines. I long to connect with him and learn more about his character through this time. And I think through learning more about God's character, my motivations will hopefully become saturated with a focus and love and less on "achieving" love and acceptance from God. And if my thought paradigm shifts away from striving to achieve God's love, this conviction will outpour in my daily life and actions. I hope that I will demonstrate a peace and acceptance that reflects the the Grace God provides for me unconditionally--no strings attached.

I don't know if my random pondering makes sense, but I think the bottom line is that God is at work in me. He continues to pursue me by demonstrating my never-ending need to repent and accept his grace. For me, a change from my "pharisee" ways is to be more real about my struggles. I'm realizing, sometimes I would put up a front as if I have it all together, when deep inside I am a struggling sinner just like everyone else. I want to be able to share with my brothers and sisters in Christ my own struggles, and not condemn, but journey with them through their own struggles.

This song just epitomizes my journey with God the last several months!

Jimmy Needham--Yours to Take

This is my second chance
This is no song and dance
You came in and renewed a right spirit
This is grace at its best
This is taking a restless, messed up heart and having you clear it

I can feel the weight is lifting
I'm barely staying on the ground
And I can feel the wait is over
Finally the lost is found

[Chorus]
So, this is what it feels like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The Son of man, He came here to give life
And in return He asking for mine
I've Been captured by grace
I'm not going away
I'm Yours to take

I was down for the count
I was *all* but knocked out
When I heard pardon for the interruption
Then like out of blue
Out came glorious You

You picked me up without barely any introduction
You won my heart by a landslide
You tend to do that every time
So, everything I have is Yours now
Even my very life

So, this is what it feels like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The Son of man, He came here to give life
And in return He asking for mine,well
I've Been captured by grace
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
I'm not going away
I'm Yours to take

Your kindness leads me to repentance
Leads me to the cross, which leads me to forgiveness
So, I'm counting it all as loss


So, this is what it feels like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The Son of man, He came here to give life
And in return He asking for mine

So, this is what it feels like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The Son of man, He came here to give life
And in return He asking for mine
I've been captured by grace
I'm not going away
I'm Yours to take

So, this is what it feels like to live life (I'm Yours to take)
So, this is what it feels like to live life (I'm Yours to take)
So, this is what it feels like to live life (I'm Yours to take)
So, this is what it feels like to live life (I'm Yours to take)