Recently I had shared with some friends the last book I read, written by Bob Goff, EVERYBODY ALWAYS.
It is interesting how much intake we can handle yet often our “output” remains so much less or even null.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
We get input from everywhere.. input from our friends, our spouses, our children and co-workers, input from the media, the music, the weather and the Word. We get input from the visions our eyes see and the sounds, smells, and feels… As I shared with some friends on this Bob Goff book, i truly feel like the read has given me an attitude change towards people.
Not only have I become slightly more ready to introduce myself to a stranger, I have started thinking differently of my loved ones that are right next to me each day. As some of you may have read a month or so ago, I lost a good friend and co-worker to a tragic and sudden death.
The loss has been weighing on me as I have been asking God to clarify some of my own hangups as to be a stronger father, a better husband, and especially a faithful servant. I read, and study, and listen… and THINK… and pray, and read, and study, and listen, and THINK…
You know what all that thinking and reading and studying is getting me?
Not a damn thing but ideas .. I need to make the lessons and input get CONVERTED to output. TO ACTION… I think especially when we are struck with grief or sorrow or regret, we tend to “freeze up” a bit.
We sit there and perhaps dwell way too long on the topic and forget to get off our butts and get moving on some of those thoughts and ideas.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13
This is the gospel. ACTION . Christ did not go through all that pain and suffering so that we can hang around pain and suffering! His work on earth as the son of adam was to BREAK US from the pain and suffering. To PUSH us to a “next level” faith that produces, and encourages, and leaves LEGACY.
Last weekend I over heard my wife speaking of an event we attended as a family to a friend. As I listened to here describe the evening, and me, I could not help but to question my desires to hear BETTER words or a “more exciting” description of MY INVOLVEMENT. Truth: I want my wife to think I’m amazing. Truth: I want my children and friends to think I’m amazing.
Reality: DO I LIVE IN A WAY THAT SHOWS SOMETHING AMAZING?
It’s a tough lesson for sure… Christ is IN US. The SPIRIT is IN US. Nothing less than amazing should ever come near us! It’s incredible how low and worthless I am willing to call something, (ME) that GOD CHERISHES SO HIGHLY!
SO about the great books, or sermon, or podcast or lesson… read it again… or go out to the world and ACT IT OUT!
Love you all,
BK
Barnabas Man 