Sunday, November 7, 2010

Connecting the Dots

Dot 1
I'm reading a book by Sinclair Lewis called "Main Street".  The main character, Carol, has married and moved to a small town--determined to change it.  After a couple of years of trying, she stated that she placed herself in exile for three years.  I can identify with that statement--placing yourself in a self-imposed exile.

Dot 2
We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.  (Aristotle)  I like this because it's true, in every aspect of one's existence.  Whether it's good health, our jobs, establishing relationships--the list goes on.  The question for me then becomes,  how do I break the cycle of repeatedly bad habits?

Dot 3
God told Solomon he could have anything he wanted (1 Kings 3), just ask and it will be given.  Solomon asked and was given wisdom--along with that he was given riches that he did not desire.  Matthew Henry made a statement that Solomon readily laid hold of this offer.  Why do we neglect the like offer made to us, like Ahaz, who said, I will not ask?  I looked it up (Isaiah 7), God was telling him to ask for something and he completely refused.  Told God point blank he would not ask.  My first thought was--what a moron; but then I realized that I do the same thing.  How many times has Christ said to me--ask and it will be given, trust and I will direct, place your burdens on me and you can sleep at night and I say no--I will not.

Dot 4
Our pastor this morning made a statement that when we fall--we are to get back up.  We are not to lay there and wait for someone to come along and help us--we are to get up and move forward.  He said that the same power that brought forth Christ from the dead and breathed life into Him after the crucifixion is the same power that is within us--as believers.

Dot 5
Some pictures it only takes twenty-five dots, others more or less until the picture is complete.  I don't know when this process will be finished; maybe not all of my dots will ever be completed here on earth.  I do know that I'm consistently trying to make connections--erasing--starting over--maybe my completed picture will be presented to me in Heaven.


2 comments:

Retta said...

I like what your Pastor said.

I was just emailing with a blogger friend over this very thing... that we need to believe what God said, to look at it the same way HE does. That we CAN do all things with His strength, and stop saying we "can't".

Lots of dots to discover along the way... but I think if we just don't quit, we will find them, and get them all connected. And yes, I agree... there might be some that will only become clear when we get there. :-)

Loretta
=^..^=

Nicole said...

Thanks for the post! I refuse to ask for help too and to cast my burdens. I read something the other day that said this is nothing but pride, humility makes us search out God and his help.