Currently, there are numerous debates in the news between what is right and wrong. Many of these discussions focus on the "rights" of Americans and what should be regulated by the government. Everybody seems to have an opinion, and those with opposing viewpoints call their opponents narrow-minded or insensitive and immediately "lose respect" for anybody who refuses to be openminded enough to share their opponent's viewpoint or beliefs. I wish people would take a second to actually sit down and listen to one another, rather than hurling insults and opting to shutdown to alternative thoughts on matters. Accusations won't get people anywhere, and closing off lines of communication just because somebody has a different opinion is childish.
Part of the problem is that the modern world has lax discipline, which makes it difficult to convey definitive rights and wrongs to people. Sure, I could sit down with somebody and explain why they need a Savior, but if they don't believe they have ever done anything wrong and believe they are generally a "good" person, they will never accept Jesus into their hearts or believe in the teachings of Christianity. This is what happens when relativism seeps into the belief system of the majority. The defined lines between right and wrong get lost in the murky mire of personal beliefs. Along with that, too often Christians don't want to offend others, so they sway away from the definitive truths outlined by God in the Bible. Rather than accept God's authority on all matters, some opt to just let people be happy as long as it doesn't impact them. When this happens, it reflects what was expressed in Isaiah 26:10, which says, "If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the Lord." This is why discipline and teaching ones children is so important. If parents opt to be friends with their kids instead of having authority and disciplining them for their actions when necessary, they will never learn that certain actions are in fact wrong. Proverbs 22:6 expresses the importance of discipline by stating, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
What's unfortunate is that the typical response to a Christian trying to convey biblical truth is calling them hateful bigots who don't love their fellow man and are trying to shove their beliefs down other's throats. It's often misconstrued as Bible-thumping because nonbelievers do not understand that Christians answer to God, not our fellow man. In Matthew 28:20, God calls us to "teach them all that I have commanded you." Not all of humanity acknowledges the authority of God and the truth He speaks, which causes friction. I understand that, but if we show favor to those who are in the wrong, they will never understand or accept the truth. Allowing someone to continue on in their sin without acknowledging the eternal consequences in the opposite of love. I know it is not my job to judge those outside the church (1 Corinthians 5:12), but it is my duty to expose the darkness in the world, as per Ephesians 5:11, which says, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." I myself struggle with ways to do this in a loving manner, but I know in my heart that speaking the truth in love is more important than gaining favor with man. I must pray for courage to talk to people and ask the Holy Spirit for the words to express my concerns to people in my life. I doubt this will happen overnight, but my hope is that I will be emboldened by the Spirit to speak the truth in love.
I must remember that there are only two options after death: eternal life and eternal condemnation. Reading Galatians 6:8, which states, "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life," illuminates that fact, which should serve as my motivator to sow seeds to be watered in the hopes that Christ will pluck them out of the darkness. I cannot just sit back and rest on my laurels, not expressing my concern to those living lives contrary to truth just because they feel it is right. I must be willing to take a chance and express the truth in love. It may cause some riffs and I might lose favor with some, but it's a chance I must be willing to take. You never know who just needs to hear the Gospel in a new light. God can soften hearts in those you least expect it, so trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. I will do my best to do the same. The least we can do is try in these dark times so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to accept Christ in their hearts and have eternal life.
If you have any interest in reading another post based on relativism's impact, feel free to read The Prevailing Age of Skepticism and Moral Degradation
Showing posts with label Discipline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discipline. Show all posts
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Accountability, Authority, and Encouragement
Accountability is a concept that popped into my head during Bible Study on Sunday night. I'm not exactly sure why, but it might have stemmed from our discussion about how we as humans react to authority. Our study was based on Matthew 8:1-17, which discusses Christ's authoritative actions and words, along with the faithful Centurion. What was outlined was how we are all under some form of authority and held accountable for our actions. A hierarchy was created in order to illustrate this concept. Children under parents. Wives under husbands. Parents under church elders. Church elders under Jesus. Jesus under God. This gives us a sense of who on Earth we must be held accountable to, along with demonstrating how we are all accountable to Jesus and God.
As I was surfing the internet trying to gather more insight into the matter of accountability, I came across an article entitled, Accountability, by Kenneth Boa. I found the beginning quite interesting because he discusses how we are more apt to deal with issues after they arise and boil over instead of confronting them when they are relatively minor and easy to handle. One of the most striking illustrations that reminded me of my own life was when the author quoted Neil Plantinga saying: "We deny, suppress, or minimize what we know to be true. We assert, adorn, and elevate what we know to be false. We prettify ugly realities and sell ourselves the prettified versions. Thus a liar might transform 'I tell a lot of lies to shore up my pride' to 'Occasionally, I finesse the truth in order to spare other people’s feelings.'" I think we all accidentally fall into this trap of trying to spare other people's feelings as a way of avoiding confronting the real problems. Thus the reason we are called to encourage on another and hold each other accountable.
1 Corinthians 12 discusses how we are all members of the body of Christ and we must all work together and help each other. This excerpt from 1 Corinthians 12:12; 14; 18-20; 24-27 provides a decent illustration of the matter: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body...But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." This is proof that we must all work together as one body and help each other out when necessary. The notes from my NIV Life Application Study Bible stated the following: "Believers are in the world together--there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. We shouldn't stop with enjoying only our own relationship with God; we need to get involved in the lives of others."
There is a distinct need to be involved in each other's lives. We are all part of one great big community in Christ and we are meant to uplift one another, along with holding each other accountable when we stray away from the Word. Now this does not mean that we point out everybody's faults and put ourselves up on a pedestal. We must kindly rebuke others, provide advice, carry each other's burdens, and encourage one another. Truth is necessary in the framework of accountability, even though it is occasionally hard to swallow. Ephesians 4:25 mentions the necessity for truth in order to maintain unity: "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." We are all scared to speak the truth due to the potential harm that it might cause. Sometimes it is hard for others to see your viewpoint and remaining quiet seems like the best option. Unfortunately, this tends to prolong the issue, making it more difficult to deal with down the road. This is when we must seek out advice from fellow Christians in order to figure out how to handle a problem. In the process of doing so, some of your own faults might be pointed out, and one must accept this with dignity and not revenge. Proverbs 19:20-21 discusses the importance of listening to advice and discipline when it states, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Nobody enjoys being disciplined. It takes a very discerning person to humble himself in order to accept what is being said and try to incorporate the advice in order to continue following the Lord's purpose. I'm not saying that this will be easy by any means, but it is important to allow others to correct you out of love in order to rebuild what is broken.
We all struggle with sin, which occasionally blinds us to any wrongdoing in our lives. If we sense that one of our fellow Christians has stumbled, we must gently help guide them back to the right path. We are not meant to go through life on our own. Instead, we are called to help one another and receive help. Galatians 6:1-2 states, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." We are specifically instructed to bear the weight of other's misfortunes and grievances in order to lighten the load. This is exactly what being apart of one body in Christ and sharing in community is all about.
The foundation of any community should involve encouragement. This can help bolster morale and keep others from throwing in the towel when they are struggling and have a strong desire to just give up. I will leave you with two excerpts about encouragement. The first can be found in the book of Hebrews while the second is found in 1 Thessalonians. I hope that these will serve as a reminder to look outside your own little world and the stresses you are dealing with and turn your focus to those around you who may be struggling with the same issues or something much harder.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." ~Hebrews 10:24
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." ~1 Thessalonians 5:11-15
As I was surfing the internet trying to gather more insight into the matter of accountability, I came across an article entitled, Accountability, by Kenneth Boa. I found the beginning quite interesting because he discusses how we are more apt to deal with issues after they arise and boil over instead of confronting them when they are relatively minor and easy to handle. One of the most striking illustrations that reminded me of my own life was when the author quoted Neil Plantinga saying: "We deny, suppress, or minimize what we know to be true. We assert, adorn, and elevate what we know to be false. We prettify ugly realities and sell ourselves the prettified versions. Thus a liar might transform 'I tell a lot of lies to shore up my pride' to 'Occasionally, I finesse the truth in order to spare other people’s feelings.'" I think we all accidentally fall into this trap of trying to spare other people's feelings as a way of avoiding confronting the real problems. Thus the reason we are called to encourage on another and hold each other accountable.
1 Corinthians 12 discusses how we are all members of the body of Christ and we must all work together and help each other. This excerpt from 1 Corinthians 12:12; 14; 18-20; 24-27 provides a decent illustration of the matter: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body...But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." This is proof that we must all work together as one body and help each other out when necessary. The notes from my NIV Life Application Study Bible stated the following: "Believers are in the world together--there is no such thing as private or individualistic Christianity. We shouldn't stop with enjoying only our own relationship with God; we need to get involved in the lives of others."
There is a distinct need to be involved in each other's lives. We are all part of one great big community in Christ and we are meant to uplift one another, along with holding each other accountable when we stray away from the Word. Now this does not mean that we point out everybody's faults and put ourselves up on a pedestal. We must kindly rebuke others, provide advice, carry each other's burdens, and encourage one another. Truth is necessary in the framework of accountability, even though it is occasionally hard to swallow. Ephesians 4:25 mentions the necessity for truth in order to maintain unity: "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." We are all scared to speak the truth due to the potential harm that it might cause. Sometimes it is hard for others to see your viewpoint and remaining quiet seems like the best option. Unfortunately, this tends to prolong the issue, making it more difficult to deal with down the road. This is when we must seek out advice from fellow Christians in order to figure out how to handle a problem. In the process of doing so, some of your own faults might be pointed out, and one must accept this with dignity and not revenge. Proverbs 19:20-21 discusses the importance of listening to advice and discipline when it states, “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Nobody enjoys being disciplined. It takes a very discerning person to humble himself in order to accept what is being said and try to incorporate the advice in order to continue following the Lord's purpose. I'm not saying that this will be easy by any means, but it is important to allow others to correct you out of love in order to rebuild what is broken.
We all struggle with sin, which occasionally blinds us to any wrongdoing in our lives. If we sense that one of our fellow Christians has stumbled, we must gently help guide them back to the right path. We are not meant to go through life on our own. Instead, we are called to help one another and receive help. Galatians 6:1-2 states, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." We are specifically instructed to bear the weight of other's misfortunes and grievances in order to lighten the load. This is exactly what being apart of one body in Christ and sharing in community is all about.
The foundation of any community should involve encouragement. This can help bolster morale and keep others from throwing in the towel when they are struggling and have a strong desire to just give up. I will leave you with two excerpts about encouragement. The first can be found in the book of Hebrews while the second is found in 1 Thessalonians. I hope that these will serve as a reminder to look outside your own little world and the stresses you are dealing with and turn your focus to those around you who may be struggling with the same issues or something much harder.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." ~Hebrews 10:24
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." ~1 Thessalonians 5:11-15
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Book Club and Ephesians
I am very enthusiastic about the new book club that has sprung up through the Young Adults Bible Study that I attend on Sunday nights. It was proposed that a book club be started in order to discuss particular books in a casual setting in order to gain input and insight from other women. I feel that this is a spectacular idea because the various perspectives gained are intriguing since each participant comes from a different walk of life, whether it is professionally or spiritually. It is a great blend of new and seasoned believers who are very open to express their opinions and understand the other viewpoints gathered.
The book we are starting with is entitled "Radical Womanhood," which was written by Carolyn McCulley. This book is about "feminine faith in a feminist world." The author used to be a feminist, but became a Christian after a trip to South Africa. It is very interesting gathering her perspective as a feminist and combining it with how we are to live out womanhood in a biblical fashion. The verses that the book is centered around can be found within Ephesians 5:22-30, which state, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body."
Though we have only reviewed the preface and first chapter, some compelling conversation topics have already been introduced. The concept of prideful independence vs. responsible independence has been brought up in regards to when it is okay to take care of our own needs. Also, it is import to note that these verses are not male dominated. Though wives are called to submit, husbands are commanded to love and care for their wives as if it were their own body. So in essence, it is a mutual appreciation for one another.
I look forward to learning more on the topics within this book and how the feminist movement has misconstrued the biblical role of the female. I also look forward to getting to know better all of the members involved with the book club so that we can continue to strengthen one another's faith by discussing Scripture and everyday life.
The book we are starting with is entitled "Radical Womanhood," which was written by Carolyn McCulley. This book is about "feminine faith in a feminist world." The author used to be a feminist, but became a Christian after a trip to South Africa. It is very interesting gathering her perspective as a feminist and combining it with how we are to live out womanhood in a biblical fashion. The verses that the book is centered around can be found within Ephesians 5:22-30, which state, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body."
Though we have only reviewed the preface and first chapter, some compelling conversation topics have already been introduced. The concept of prideful independence vs. responsible independence has been brought up in regards to when it is okay to take care of our own needs. Also, it is import to note that these verses are not male dominated. Though wives are called to submit, husbands are commanded to love and care for their wives as if it were their own body. So in essence, it is a mutual appreciation for one another.
I look forward to learning more on the topics within this book and how the feminist movement has misconstrued the biblical role of the female. I also look forward to getting to know better all of the members involved with the book club so that we can continue to strengthen one another's faith by discussing Scripture and everyday life.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Words Have Lost Their Meaning
I'm sure many have heard the phrase, "Use your words wisely," at some point in time; or possibly the catchphrase, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." What I have come to notice, though, is that many in this day and age toss around words and phrases with no thought whatsoever. Due to this extreme absence of thought, I have come to find that I am quite skeptical of words people say.
The pace of society seems to inhibit our ability to consciously think through what we say to eachother, which negates the step that ensures that these words express how we truly feel, along with whether or not our actions will back up the thoughts expressed within those words. I think my skepticism was established back in my early years of college when I happened to be a magnet for pathological liars. After associating with them, it has become much harder for me to believe what people say to me. This is why one of my favorite scriptures happens to be 1 John 3:18, which states, "Dear friends, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." I know people mean well when they say kind words, but if this has turned into a mere knee-jerk reaction for the majority of people in their lives, then the significance of some phrases can become lost. This is why I find it much more important to express yourself through actions than through nice comments to one another.
Another reasoning behind my developing skepticism towards what people say is the fact that nobody wants to be held accountable for what they say or what others claim they have said. Everyday it seems like somebody is trying to back out of some form of written contract, or even worse, trying to back out of a marriage. The divorce rate today is astounding, which makes me wonder if anybody ever really means, "Til death do us part." It seems more likely that people are searching for their own happiness and once they get tired of their spouse, it's out with the old and in with the new, with no thought whatsoever to those sacred vows they once spoke.
Many feel they can hide behind their words in order to avoid facing other people or bearing the consequences due to their lack of thought. Be warned, though, that just because another human does not catch on to your true motives doesn't mean that nobody is aware of the intentions within your heart. God is always aware of what's on your heart each and every second. He knows when people lie about how they feel about themselves or about others. In Isaiah 29:13, he calls out the people of Ariel: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." In essence, God was well aware that these people were hypocrites who would say one thing but do another.
For your own sake, analyze your life and what you say to others. Do you truly mean those words that you express, or is it just an easy out for you to move on and avoid conflict? If there happen to be phrases that you utilize but don't truly mean when you say them, restrain yourself and just don't use them. It is best to stop the hypocrisy as soon as possible in order to live a more honest life. In my own life, there are things that I say that aren't true, and it is my goal to refrain from the usage of these phrases. At the moment, it is as simple as stating, "I'm fine," when somebody asks me how I am feeling, when that is not always necessarily the truth. So if anybody happens to hear me use this phrase, hold me accountable to make sure I am not just using a quick answer to avoid expressing how I truly feel.
The pace of society seems to inhibit our ability to consciously think through what we say to eachother, which negates the step that ensures that these words express how we truly feel, along with whether or not our actions will back up the thoughts expressed within those words. I think my skepticism was established back in my early years of college when I happened to be a magnet for pathological liars. After associating with them, it has become much harder for me to believe what people say to me. This is why one of my favorite scriptures happens to be 1 John 3:18, which states, "Dear friends, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." I know people mean well when they say kind words, but if this has turned into a mere knee-jerk reaction for the majority of people in their lives, then the significance of some phrases can become lost. This is why I find it much more important to express yourself through actions than through nice comments to one another.
Another reasoning behind my developing skepticism towards what people say is the fact that nobody wants to be held accountable for what they say or what others claim they have said. Everyday it seems like somebody is trying to back out of some form of written contract, or even worse, trying to back out of a marriage. The divorce rate today is astounding, which makes me wonder if anybody ever really means, "Til death do us part." It seems more likely that people are searching for their own happiness and once they get tired of their spouse, it's out with the old and in with the new, with no thought whatsoever to those sacred vows they once spoke.
Many feel they can hide behind their words in order to avoid facing other people or bearing the consequences due to their lack of thought. Be warned, though, that just because another human does not catch on to your true motives doesn't mean that nobody is aware of the intentions within your heart. God is always aware of what's on your heart each and every second. He knows when people lie about how they feel about themselves or about others. In Isaiah 29:13, he calls out the people of Ariel: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." In essence, God was well aware that these people were hypocrites who would say one thing but do another.
For your own sake, analyze your life and what you say to others. Do you truly mean those words that you express, or is it just an easy out for you to move on and avoid conflict? If there happen to be phrases that you utilize but don't truly mean when you say them, restrain yourself and just don't use them. It is best to stop the hypocrisy as soon as possible in order to live a more honest life. In my own life, there are things that I say that aren't true, and it is my goal to refrain from the usage of these phrases. At the moment, it is as simple as stating, "I'm fine," when somebody asks me how I am feeling, when that is not always necessarily the truth. So if anybody happens to hear me use this phrase, hold me accountable to make sure I am not just using a quick answer to avoid expressing how I truly feel.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Danger of Being an Intellectual Christian
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| Quote bordering ceiling of Jefferson Library of Congress |
I must say, as of late, I am quite guilty of being an intellectual Christian. For some reason, I have drifted into a realm where I can advise others on how to not allow the temptations of this generation get a grip on their souls, yet I myself struggle to stay afloat above the same tide of temptations and delusions Satan floods into society. I am daily trying to escape the resentment I hold against those who call themselves Christians, but don't appear to live out their faith, when in all honesty, I am no better. Also, I need to escape my apathy towards school and work. To do so, I must meditate on the words of Colossians 3:23 and 1 Peter 4:10, which state, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men," and "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.", respectively. Although it will be a process and will take time, my goal is to do my best to let my work reflect my faith.
My number one priority, though, is to live out the greatest commandment of love. I seem to have issues lately not remembering that people stumble, and not being able to accept them for their flaws and mistakes, which is totally ludicrous. We all experience pitfalls in the ebb and flow of life and I must keep this in mind and close to my heart. Sure our main focus should always be on Christ, but I must not become critical of myself or others when this doesn't happen. I must remain patient and not become anger because that allows Satan to get the upper hand. So in sticking with the theme of this entry, I plan on ditching the intellectual Christian route and will try my best to follow 1 John 3:18 ~ "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues, but with actions and in truth."
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Discipline and Focus
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 states, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." After reading this passage. it struck me that I was spending too much time aimlessly running instead of focusing on my actual goal for the marathon. My hope is that I complete it in under 4 hours, but I have not put in much time thinking over how I might accomplish this feat. After consulting my father, he reminded me to not go out too fast and to build up my core strength, along with my shoulder strength. His advice gave me areas to put extra effort into so that I am as prepared as I possibly can be on race day. This means I will need to discipline myself so that I can maintain an exercise routine that includes both running and strength training.
We must not go through life aimlessly either. Our purpose on this earth is to do our part in promoting the Kingdom of God. We are not here to build up wealth and friends, as useful as we might find them at the moment. Much like in my training, we need to reorient our focus on the end goal, which is eternal life. Once we remind ourselves that heaven is our goal, we will look at how we go about our lives in a new fashion. Instead of merely speaking to people in passing, we should do our best to get to know them and connect with them because one never knows who is searching for a friend in life. We can all use encouragement, and there is no better encouragement than the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If we are able to encourage others with this Good News and build a strong relationship with God through loving Jesus, then we have fulfilled our earthly purpose and maintained our spot in heaven.
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