Evaluation

There is nothing like your foundations being rocked to get you reevaluate your direction in life. This past few weeks have been difficult for many people I know and love, but I am watching God to see what He wants me to get out of this "time" and what He desires for me to do.


Over the past few days I have been reading in the book of Matthew, today was quite convicting for me. I hope you will indulge me for a bit as I share with you my thoughts. I am not a theologian by any stretch of the imagination, so bare with me as I make my feeble attempt. 


Today's reading was in Matthew 6 & 7. The first part of that I was stopped by was on prayer, a most familiar prayer to most, the Lord's Prayer. I have read this prayer many times in my lifetime, but today this prayer grabbed hold of me like it has never done before.Here is the prayer with my commentary added:


Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name( how much I do not truly honor my Father in heaven, the one who takes care of my every need)
your kingdom come,( what a day that will be to be able to see your kingdom)
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven ( I do not fully understand all things but you do, so therefore I trust you)
Give us today our daily bread ( your provision is more than I deserve, but yet I take it for granted)
Forgive us our debts , as we also have forgive our debtors( this one got my attention, do I harbor any resentment, strife or just unkind thoughts towards others. Then maybe the reason is I need to let something go)
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.( There are times when I truly have felt a hold on me that was not from God, I know that something was trying to keep me from His presence. So yes please keep me from the evil one.)


Chapter 6 continues to talk about storing up treasures, not here but in heaven. I read a good example today about storing up treasure, by Claire Cloninger. Her article suggested to look at some old photos and observe the things you "treasured" at the time. Where are these items now? Probably gone and destroyed. When we are gone from this world the things we accumulated will no longer matter, the only thing that will mater will be eternity. How easily it is to loose sight of this.


This section ends with a familiar line-- For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Oh how I long to not desire the things of this world, but to truly long for Christ. Really isn't that all that matters-- Christ alone. 


As I continue to read in Chapter 7 I am reminded about judging others, but I want to take that a little further than outwardly. I think when we usually think of this passage we relate it to looking at  persons appearance or how they act.Conversely I was draw to think of how we assume people to be. What if instead of looking at a person that appears to have it all together, we really got to know the person, maybe they need a friend.Or what about the person who seems to be a mess, maybe they are someone you need in your life. What if instead of believing when someone says they are "fine" to really delve in and see if  they are truly "fine". What if we stopped judging people by assuming that they are okay, because of what we assume.How would our world, our churches change if we began to truly "see" those inside and outside our church walls.


One of the ending pharses in Matthew 7 is this: But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.I do not want to be a fool, not following the teaching of my Savior. I want to make sure my life is exactly what Christ wants for me, sometimes that means I must give up my desires allowing me to better follow Him. It may sound like a sacrifice, but what a privilege it truly is to serve my God. A God that is active, living, and cares for all my needs. 


Thanks for reading my thoughts....I hope they are a blessing to you. If you get a chance say a little prayer for me, as I sort my thoughts out and seek God's direction. I'll  be sure to be praying for you.


Blessings, 


Ann