Ugh, it’s about time I motivated myself to start blogging again. It has been quite some time since Rwanda and my life is now seizing small and slow steps and producing great change. That is one reason why I have decided that it’s time to get back into the game. I’m at a point where there exist a lot of uncertainties. Recently graduating from Arizona State in Tempe, AZ, I am left with a heap of unanswered questions and an array of roads to elect to travel.
Which shall I travel though? Good question Aaron, cause I have no idea.
Well, aren’t you nervous? Don’t you worry about finding a job? And money, you must be running out, that must be really scary.
Hm, I would be lying to you if I said it wasn’t scary. As it should be. As a believer and follower of Christ, if Christ is really apparent in our lives and were striving to live by New Testament scripture, then life is scary. I don’t remember my Jesus ever saying that living as a Christian was easy, planned out, and full of certainty. Actually it was the exact opposite.
I am uncertain where God is planting me next or what he’ll do with my life, but as he says on the Mount,
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes……But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6: 25, 33-34
I have read that passage many times in the past few weeks, trying to engrain it into my thinking and truly believe it as truth. The first time I read it though, I paused at “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”. I think a lot of times in the world of “Christianity” we continually remind each other and ourselves that God will take care of us, with a phrase such as: Hey, do not worry about that, God will provide.
Though I believe that is most definitely correct, I also believe as Jesus says, it doesn’t come for free. He specifically gives us criteria to meet before he will provide. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness – wow. When I first read that it kind of scared me. Am I seeking the kingdom and righteousness? What does that look like? If I’m not, I’m in this alone and I don’t want to be in this alone.
I believe, and this is where I love feedback, that it’s quite simple to determine but a challenge to execute. After talking to some of my homies, this is where I stand. One question of importance is , “is God apparent in my life?” I’m not asking for the I go to church, tithe, and talk about God with my kids or friends answer. I want to know if God is apparent in your life.
Is he apart of your decisions? Read the bible much? Not only read, but also applying the messages you read into your life? An active Christian? Is the Sunday sermon comforting or challenging? Is God the only God you worship, other then image, money, sex, status, drugs, alcohol, etc? Is God apart of who you are in every realm?
Hm, if we are able to answer these, upon other questions with a Yes, then I believe we are seeking the kingdom and righteousness. That’s where my challenge has been in the past few weeks, to maintain and figure out what seeking the kingdom and righteousness means for me.
Also, I want to point out something really quick, because this Blog session has become something I certainly did not intend and I want to keep your attention. In that Matthew passage, when God says these things will be given to you. I believe God is talking about a lot more than just money, food, and material possessions. He is talking about relationships, joy, stability, answers, reconciliation, filling voids, etc... God is talking about rescuing us from the emptiness of this world and sealing the cracks of where our brokenness lies. Specific to each individual.
Point of the blog, this is what has been in my thoughts for the past couple weeks and if I’m able to put into words, it helps me work through it, receive feedback, be challenged, learn, and (key point) seek the kingdom and righteousness.
Wow... what an encouraging and challenging post! thanks for that... as a person EXACTLY in your position.. it was good to be redirected to the word. It is true... you think to TRUST... and believe in the fact that God will provide, and "all things work together for good for those that love God"... but at the same time... to love God is to seek him! It reminds me of Pastor justins sermon on tithing about how when you do good... you will be able to do more Good... But wants us to seek him and in doing so we are able to fulfill what he has planned for us! thanks for the encouraging words! it is good to be redirected to the Word!
ReplyDelete"In that Matthew passage, when God says these things will be given to you. I believe God is talking about a lot more than just money, food, and material possessions. He is talking about relationships, joy, stability, answers, reconciliation, filling voids, etc..."
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the most important thing to realize. When God provides, he is going to provide you with things that you NEED, but also the things that will bring you closer to him. If you think God will make you rich...he will...just not with money, but it will be a richness of the soul and comfort that only he can provide.
God knows the road isn't easy, nor should it be. If it were easy, everyone would do it. I think looking at whats going on in your life, although you do not know what the future holds, you know God is with you, your friends and family are with you which are the true blessings. If you remain strong in your faith and thoughts, only good will come out and patience will prevail once again!
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ReplyDeleteThe road of seeking God first is not easy...but in Matthew 11:30 Jesus says, "for my yoke is easy and my burden is light". So is it hard, as we view hardship, yet easy by Gods standards (with his help)? Yes that is a question.
ReplyDeleteAaron I like where you are going with this blog.
Also, I love Jeremiah 20:11, "But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior". Living The Dream is easier when a mighty warrior has your back.
Aaron, let me try this again. I've tried and tried to get on and I think I may have it.
ReplyDeleteWho hasn't graduated from college and not said, "what now"? Your questions and concerns are valid. I myself wondered what you were going to do but I never worried what you were going to do. I've always been so proud of you and I know you'll do me proud again. I remember at a job interview I had to be an accountant at a credit union I was asked, "what do you want to do with your life?" I immediately said "an interpreter for the deaf". For some reason I got the job, but it did make me think. I am now a certified interpreter for the deaf and my favorite interpreting is in the religious setting. How many people can say they set a goal for themselves then achieved it? But now what? There's that question again. You have to be satisfied that what God wants from you now is that "but now what" question. Take your time to find the answer. Too many people grab the first job they can related to their field out of college and are stuck in an unhappy career wishing they had done something else. There may be many something elses before you find what you're meant to do....and that's just fine. I really thought I wanted to be an aerobics instructor, I really wanted to bill insurance at a hospital, I really wanted to be an accountant at a credit union.....now I'm happy, 25 years later! Searching is fine, espcially like Joe said, when a mighty warrior has your back!
I love you Aaron, you can search anytime you want here in Colorado Springs with us!
your favorite aunt
Bubba:
ReplyDeleteThis entry in your blog has really got me thinking.. and well as you know the next best thing i do next to talking is think, and think.... sometimes maybe a little to much
The part were you discussed in the verse from Matthew that said
*But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness*
I think this is key to a life striving towards that in which Christ has called us to live...
I think God is calling us as believers to a life far beyond what any culture or society has created, a life that is far beyond the works of human hands..
And as I myself try to do that in my daily life...I find myself finding comfort in the "culture of christ" and not in the "culture" of this world!
But for us to live such a life of righteousness it must be a direct outpour of seeking his kingdom and his righteousness first...
These are a few things I think are adequate in the act of seeking first his kingdom and righteousness:
I remember in bible study talking about Christ ministry,
and how He first went off alone and spent time with God, then He went and chose his twelve disciples(ministry partners/community), and then He went out to minister to the people (living out the gospel/living missional!)
This has helped me to realize that in all things whether a job, relationships, circumstances, etc...
That is what I must walk out...I can not just skip from discontentment to serving the poor (even if in the name of Christ) and think that will clear up the haze of discontentment...I must first seek Christ....
I also think it is so important for us to first in anything and everything we do to come to the Cross and just worship God for who He is...for him ALONE is worthy to be worshipped (without any strings attached!) ...TO HIM BE ALL THE GLORY!
I feel to in my experience the one thing that keeps me from seeking the kingdom and righteousness is:
1. Lack of obedience to the Father because of fear and pressure (trying to figure that one out!)
Lastly, i will wrap it up here:
I think through out these last two years when i ask myself "what am I doing with my life" : I must always come back to the place of: I am not defined or identify in anything...BUT CHRIST..... and when i come back to that place there is certainty in my life that could never be created by the work of my own doing....
Well what would be an amy post with out a few one liners...
Your butt smells: So wipe it!
Summer Sneaks have treated me well....
And I am thinking about starting a muscle tee line with the slogan:
Who needs sleeves!
Guns and Roses Rule!
Love:
Sista Spamy