Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6,7
Sometimes I work too hard and take life too hard. Last week I noticed flowers in my backyard in bloom, and I had missed the process of blooming, Life is too short. Sometimes we need to sit back and enjoy God's gift to us. Brother Jeremiah was at the end of his life when he reflected on his many years of Christian service. I keep close to my heart these words he wrote:
"If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets. I would do more walking and looking, I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin, and a parachute. If I had it to do over again, I would go places, do things, and travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would play more. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more daisies."*
GOING DEEPER:
- Reread Philippians 4:6,7. What is the result of not being anxious, but presenting our requests to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving?
- Sometimes we are anxious about life because we are sitting around thinking about it. What specifically can you do today to live life to the fullest? Do it today!
* Ted W. Engstrom, The Pursuit of Excellence (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982), p. 90. Used by permission.
9 comments:
GREAT! I just took off my shoes and socks under my desk. Think I'll knock off early today.
tba
It all returns to trust and faith doesn't it? How much do we believe those words that were inspired and written for us? How often do we live out "do not be anxious about anything" because not doing that is in direct violation really, isn't it? And,,,,,tba, I hope you have an air freshener under there :o)
cas
wow - this just described my life to a t. cas, i bet you would agree with me!!!!
Funny how these things find there way on here. The Lord works in mysterious ways ;0)
glad you posted this again. ONe thing that i think is important and i wish when authors worte about this topic they included the following: that laughing, smelling the roses, being sillier, not as serious, etc does not mean being a driftless wanderer or lacking inspiration or ambition or being lazy. i think some people read the author's comments and take them to mean that you dont need to work hard in life. but it is my opinion, that the author is not suggesting this but rather in your daily life, as you work hard and as you are ambitious, you still need to have a mind set that says life is precious and a gift and dont miss out on all that God has given us. thoughts?
My caution is to be careful not rationalize in order to support a certain behaviour. I think the authors point is all about where he placed over emphasis in his life. I completely agree with you and while you are at work, you should give it your all. That is not the question, the question is how much time, how much energy, at what cost??? You CAN NOT GET BACK TIME. His point revolves aorund priorities. So, we can all profess certain things about our lives and what we say we adhere to, but what if we turn the camera on us like that movie Truman with Jim Carey, what would everyone see? I am being totally honest here and I would not want that movie shown. Defintely a work in progress, and I think my heart is in the right place, but not ready for prime time. And,,,,,,,,God has a Truman eye view 24/7-365 and He know the deepest desires of our heart. All that being said, I do believe it requires balance. I would suggest everyone looking into Andy Stanley's (son of the famous Charles Stanley) info and what he subscribes to for himself and his staff at the church he leads outside of Atlanta.
blessings,
cas
http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php/site/comments/andy_stanley_why_i_decided_to_cheat_the_church/
Great topic, I dont have any problems with this... It's all about balance...If I live too much for lifes enjoyment and comfort then I'm off-balance. If I live too much for my job then I'm off balance.
May God help us keep a healthy balance to our days this week...
Clark, Loved the priceless comment.
Its tough to know where the line is between work and play. I figured that I'll be working until I'm in my late 60s so I'll run it more like a marathon than a sprint.
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