How do you discern/decide if a choice is good or bad?
Where do you get your standards for life? (Parents, Friends, Self, Pastor, Bible)
Look at this verse:
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
(Psalms 1:1-3 NAS95S)
Do you really think that people find joy in the Law of the Lord? it seems to me that more people find their joy in the open arms of the, "counsel of the wicked," and run like a scared middle school kid from the Law of God. I have often wondered why people seem to find the, "counsel of the wicked," such and attraction. I have often wondered if it stems from a lack of TRUE understanding of the word of God. What I mean is that people tend to stay far away because they have been convinced that the Bible and God are only for certain, good, people or that the Bible (law of God) is just a list of rules and regulations that continually remind us of our wretchedness. Why do you think that people prefer the, "counsel of the wicked," over the Law of God?
Also, this scripture speaks of meditating on the word or law of God, day and night. Sadly this word has been lost in modern translation. Today is seems to mean that you are some weird dude sitting cross-legged on a matt mumbling chants and trying to find you inner chakra! This is not what David was referring to or meant. David wanted to live a life that was in continual contemplation of the words of God. A life that pondered deeply the things of scripture. So, why don't we do this? What keeps us from living a life of deep contemplation of the things of God?
Let me know whatcha think!
To answer your first question:
ReplyDeleteI usually can tell if a choice is good if I have a peace about it. When I don't have to think, "Was that dumb for me to do?" or, "Should I have said that?", I think that's a reason for knowing if you've made a right decision. But sometimes I find it funny when I make a decision in life, and God turns it around and goes a different direction. And although you thought you made the right choice, you sometimes make the wrong choice, but in the end our choice doesn't matter because He's in control of everything. As in, out of my bad choices I grow and learn and sometimes gain wisdom. So does the wrong choice turn into the right choice? Am I chasing a rabbit?
I get my standards from my parents because they raised me. I feel like with some of the standards they've taught me, some of them have altered now that I'm on my own. I don't know exactly what, but I'm pretty sure there's something out there.
The "counsel of the wicked"...isn't that like just living life without Christ? Because if it is, then it's easy to choose the "counsel of the wicked" over the Law of God. Even though the law is written on our hearts, Romans 1:15, living life without a standard is easier.
As Christians, I would say we have a standard to live by. I'm not saying we have to pray to God 5 times a day, go to church every Sunday, that sort of thing. But instead living a life devoted to Christ and showing others Christ's love that is within us.
I find it sad when people think that the bible and Christianity is only for good people. If we were good people, we wouldn't need God. None of us are good.
I have a tough time meditating on God's word, day and night, because I have so many other things on my plate. I know that meditating on God's word isn't your head stuck in a bible, but I find it hard sometimes to transition from meditating on The Word physically, to putting it into practice when I play a game, or go to class.
I get caught up in relationships with others, and developing those friendships, that I'm not putting Christ in my friendships so that they may know them. Like last night, I was studying with a girl that takes Poli-sci with me. We're not close friends, but I'm developing that relationship. I was trying to come up with ways to remember a court case, and one of them was Gideon V. Wainwright. I was like, "yeah, like Gideon from the bible!" And she told me, "Well, I wouldn't know what that is." And I got to thinking, goodness Lauren, that was your time to talk about the Wonderful God that's changed your life. The same God that's put joy in your life. But I just moved on to the next court case. I'm still trying to work on that, but it's tough.
When I face a decision usually I analyze every angle and stress about it. When I get a chance I will then either consult my parents or my sister, to hear their opinion. Rarely do I turn to God and pray about a small decision. But often times I will on a big decision. For example I was praying about all decisions that I am going to have to make about my future education. There are so many paths I could take and I m always afraid that I will pick the wrong road. Sometimes have a hard time just setting it in God's hands after I have prayed about it. I feel like I have a little more control over it if I am stressing about it I guess. When I think about it I know life isn't that easy and God isn't going to stick a huge billboard "Pick this One" for me to read and know where I am going. (Funny side note where I am sitting the song "I Want it All" just came on)
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Lauren. I think often times I rely on the fact that I try to act like a Christian and spread God's word by example. It is tough for me to go talk to a total stranger or even a person I have known a little while.
I don't really sit down and meditate to God. The closest I come to that is when I am about to go to sleep and I am usually thinking about that day's events or the day to come. Plus the moments that I have to relax and spend to the Lord, are usually the moments that I am selfish and want to just clear my mind and have "me" time.