At the start of the year, I like to get back to the basics. What does the good life look like, according to Jesus? We have an opportunity to be a winsome follower of Jesus. If people were to see that hope in me and ask me about it, what would I say? How would I describe what the good news of Jesus is and the true, full life he offers us?
The spiritual questions of this generation are centered on personal and societal pains, and how to choose joy, purpose and selflessness for the good of others. In this series, we’ll tackle these ideas and show how Jesus gives us the answers to our pressing questions about ourselves and the world.
The first secret to a good life in our faith is to cultivate the posture of considering. To consider means a thoughtful engagement. It requires us to focus and pay attention. Psalm 8 – “When I consider the work of your hands.” We need to create space to be intentional about thinking.
Most of us don’t make space to intentionally think, because when we do, it brings up negative feelings – anxiety, un-dealt with emotions, and places where we feel grief or loss or out of control.
But when we disconnect from bad feelings, we disconnect from the good feelings of joy, hope, and love. To feel the fullness of joy, we also have to engage with the things that are difficult. Considering, then, is the first step to a more joyful life.
What might this look like in our lives? Well, first, it might look like a 5-10 minute quiet walk or spending time to explore something outside of yourself and away from technological distractions.
What our culture tends to do is look inside ourselves to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. This “Gospel according to Oprah” sounds so good but it doesn’t work.
John 4:24 tells us a better way. “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” This is objective truth. Do you believe this?
Your Practice For This Week: Consider – Who Is God?
1. Read how God reveals himself in creation: Job 38
2. Then, consider how God reveals himself through creation AND through his care for mankind: Isaiah 40:25-31
3. Finally, read Psalm 8:1-4, and consider how God reveals himself, is mindful of us, AND has provided dominion, glory, and honor to us.
What does it mean for me?
When I feel unsure about where I stand in the world or how to make my way through it, I need to practice God-centered mindfulness we are called to; not to reflect on our own problems but to consider the glory of God and then place ourselves within his glory.
RESOURCES:
Nicole’s Book: Help My Bible Is Alive!
Ask Nicole a Bible study question: nicole@nicoleunice.com
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