Context

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Check this out about context:

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ “ – from Acts 17

When we consider the turbulence which impacts our relationships, emotions, and thoughts – we are entering into an arena where victory is attainable yet difficult to achieve. We must look beyond our human selves if we are to find it.

Many of our heart assets are squandered because of imperfect love. Instead of coming together when life gets turbulent, we often drive wedges between one another and succumb to blame and disappointment and fear. This selfishness costs us in our ability to experience oneness both in friendship and marriage. When we lose touch with the God-context of life, it threatens and diminishes hope, which in turn causes us to lose motivation. Often our more base and selfish impulses take over, and we increase our exposure to a host of evil schemes – from the pit of our very skilled adversary.

When we set ourselves to think deeply and honestly about our challenges, it can be difficult, even humbling. Yet, transparent and God honoring honesty brings freedom. And truthful, vulnerable partners are able to tackle challenges together and enjoy successes. It is good for us to celebrate our triumphs and diminish our failures by engaging one another in humility. This can be an obstacle because people (every one of us) are self-driven and tend to focus either on what is in it for us, or in defending ourselves or our position.

This is one of the things making a genuine faith-based relationship unacceptable to many. Faith is about sacrifice. A submitted, authentic faith is the enemy of selfishness. What am I willing to give (or give up) for the welfare of those around me? And even more, those whom I do not particularly cherish or respect?

Deep meaning in our personal relationships emerges as we set ourselves aside. We turn here to Jesus for motivational insight. A Man who, by the way, kept this perfectly:

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

Ask yourself:
√ What value does my story have to the One Who made me?
√ How can I know if I am living well? Do I even care?
√ What things have I learned from my story?
√ And, perhaps even more, what is my hope for journey’s end?
√ Am I a person who lives within an accurate God-context?

Transparent honesty and familiarity with God’s mind and heart are necessary for us to define true context – and to achieve God-victory! What do you think?

Dave and Burnadette