For me, it's been way to long. As for you, well, I don't actually know but hope very much that this blog can make amends for my time out, as it where.
The intention of this blog was to be, at first, simply "intentions: and there applicability to relationships." However, as often happens to one who uses his brain, my thoughts have strayed, and then focused, and then strayed again. And so, this will be some of the previous statement, and some thoughts provoked by the misfiring of brain synapses.
Here we go...
When the weather can't make up it's mind, and busy people are bound to busy tasks that allow only for such banter as "Looks like it might snow again today" or "man, that economy...," some people begin to watch, and others start to listen, and you and I begin to write. The mundaneness of everyday life inspires talk of economic collapse and people allow themselves to feel fear, maybe just to make sure that they can indeed still feel. There are many rabbit holes in which we all can fall these days. Some of us feel alone, others empty, others don't feel. This is not good, dear reader, this is self loathing. This is a world that needs a new point of view. And so I ask:
Have you forgotten who you are? Have you been incarcerated by selfish motives and
expectations?
I'm not talking about who you are as in, who you say you are. I mean how your actions paint your picture. I want to look at the stuff that is at the root of every action. I want to talk about your intentions: The vision you have for the future, enabled by actions in the present.
May you grow in wisdom and in knowledge
I always used to think it was nice of Paul to ask God to make us smart, but I didn't realize that there is so much more meaning in this statement. Rob Bell points out that the original Greek translates wisdom and knowledge to something like... The ability to know the outcome of your actions, or the condition of being so stinking aware that you know the repercussions of your actions.
When I think about what might happen if I do "this", or maybe even "that," I suddenly realize that it's not just me being affected by the "this and that" that I choose to do, it's us. Do you see why this growth is good? Less of me, more of you Jesus, and you are love and you love people by serving them to the point of death on a cross.
People change your intentions! What outcome do you wish for your brothers and sisters? If you want them to live and love, to be fruitful and peaceful then please, pursue them with the intention of spreading Jesus' love and peace. Jesus saw us as broken, and so he healed us with abounding love. I see a world that is broken, and will not be healed by judgment or a critical eye. It will not be saved by discussing how holy you are compared to they that dwell in the midst of sin. It will be saved by Jesus' love overflowing in us.
I challenge you in every interaction in your day to consider the possible outcomes of your actions, and choose the one that will lift people up. Entreat the world to a tall glass of ice cold peace. That's what we need my friends.
Less of us, more of Him
Sincerely,
Branden Thomas Carpenter
