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June 18, 2003
To live a lifestyle that supports...
Yesterday, I mentioned that my wife and I were going to start taking Yoga at church. Well, we did, and it was amazing! I can even honestly say that I was the best guy in the class (ok, I was the only guy, but let’s not get into that). I can really see myself doing Yoga a few times a week — actually, Julianna mentioned canceling our gym membership and starting up a full-time Yoga class somewhere. I’ll keep you posted for sure.
Another thing that started back up this morning was Morning Prayer (now called “First Liturgical Hour of Prayer” or Matins). We’ve been on break for a couple of weeks, but since Troy is teaching a class on spiritual disciplines for our church’s Summer Community Forums, he thought it’d be a good idea to tie it into the morning prayer time.
This morning, we read Luke 20:27-40. It continues a story about a group of Jews (Sadducees) who are questioning Jesus and trying to catch Him blaspheming and speaking untruths. At the end of the passage, though, they are satisfied with Jesus’ answers: Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” But after that they dared not question Him anymore. Isn’t it amazing how Jesus satisfies even the toughest of skeptics?
My invitation today was was to stop questioning God about His attributes (i.e., His power, His grace, His wisdom, His sovereignty, etc.). Sometimes it is so easy to doubt all of the good things that God provides. But, isn’t it great to be able to surrender all and just stop asking questions? How very peaceful.
My invitation also reminded me of our church service on Sunday. One of the things that Tim K mentioned was that many of us are working to support our lifestyles, but not living lifestyles that support our work (i.e., we work hard, all of the time just to buy things and do things that we consider “ours” when we should probably be living more in a way that allows us to rest more and work less — not to be lazy, just not to work so much).
Being that I am currently looking for a new job, but also taking into account the things that I talked about above (Yoga and Matins), this really strikes a chord with me. I’ve always been bummed that I have to leave Morning Prayer at 7am to make it to work on time. When I have days off and I am able to stay until it ends at 7:45, I always leave feeling so much more fulfilled. So, what am I supposed to look for in a new job? Qualities that allow me to provide for myself financially in a more substancial way or qualities that allow me to live the lifestyle I want to live? (Like being able to take part in the duration of Matins before work.) Should I apt for more money or more time?
Of course, there are a plethora of other factors that play into these questions, but the bottom line still seems to be whether I want to work to support my lifestyle or live a lifestyle that supports my work. (I’d love to live the “lifestyle that supports,” but I may have to settle for something that’s a little bit in between.)
And what about questioning God? I am praying that I can do it less. I am praying that when I do find the job that God wants me to have, I don’t question His grace or His wisdom. He knows the job that I need for my lifestyle to flourish. I will trust Him and “dare not question Him anymore.”
Posted at 09:31 am
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