From March 11, 2008
I Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keep no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."
Romans 12: 9-17
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil."
Romans 13:9-10
"The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
I Peter 4:8-10
"Above all else, love deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithful administering God's grace in its various form."
I Timothy 1:5
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
Ephesians 5:1-2
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Can we remove all romantic connotations from the word for just a few moments? Love is pure, but the concept is tainted by the secular definitions. In all these verses, the "love" is not complimented by words such as "marriage", but rather the idea of reaching out to others, no matter who they may be.
Love is a word that is often thrown around quite meaninglessly, most likely because most people do not truly understand what love truly is. Now I do not claim to be an expert, but I would consider Paul one. And his description of love, as seen in I Corinthians covers it all.
It's the end of that segment that touches me the most. "Love never fails." I think it's complete crap when people utter the words, "I just don't love him/her anymore." If that's the case, then it obviously wasn't love to begin with. The things of the world are fickle and uncertain, but love is of God, and if there is one certain in life, than it is Him. If anyone's experiences with love goes against what He has said in anyway, then I am confident to say that it was not quite love.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demon, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ in Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
Now that's love.
Of course, we are repeatedly told to love our neighbors, but I'm sure we all question whether or not it's possible to have such a sincere love for everyone, including people we haven't meant. Obviously, there must be different levels of love, defined by the amount of fervor behind it, but the same principle still remains. Though not as invested in the homeless man I pass on the street daily as I am with my mother, I am still expected to reach out to him just the same.
But I believe to fulfill the criteria of love as stated above from the Bible, certain prerequisites in the relationship aren't needed, especially since we are not talking of "romantic" love at this moment. Thus I am constantly inspired to reach out in the best way I can to everyone who may need it. It's a thought that has been swimming around in my mind a lot for the past weeks, but I feel like I haven't exactly acted on it. No, I do not blatantly shun people, but there is always more than I can be doing to show love.
I Peter 4:8-10 especially speaks to me on this matter. Verse 8 has always been one of my favorite verses, but recently I've noted the following verses. It is not a coincidence that Peter speaks of hospitality right after he mentions love. So I want to be available to anyone who may need me, may it be in the simplest way or in the most complex way. I realize how easy it is to show love and how the slightest gesture can mean a lot to a person.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithful administering God's grace in its various form."
Another thing that I am now becoming more focused on. I've been quite aware of my talents for some time now, mostly because compliments on them have been shoved down my throat since I was about seven. But it's come to the point that I realize that I shouldn't be using my gifts for my own joy, but for the joy of the Lord and of others. Especially in my case, when I have talents that specifically can be used to impact others (creativity, writing, humor). And without even meaning to, I've seen lately that these abilities have already been used by God to touch the lives of others, but I am not willing to just stop there. I want to take it to another level.
I just think it's very important to be a beacon of the love of the Lord. More important than myself, after all, is others.
Love is a simple concept with a powerful results. It can change moments, lives, the world. It's something we all need to be more conscience. Instead of automatically equivocating this concept to romance, we need to broaden our definitions to encompass what God truly means it as.
And this is regard to not just our friend and family, but enemies and strangers as well.
Let it be known that I am working on a blank state here. Despite lack of compatibilities or events that may have occurred in the past, I am willing to love and I'm going to love. And I think I've lost the central point of this note long ago.
But then again, isn't the central point love? 'Cause unlike most things, love never fails.
I love you all.
Showing posts with label I Timothy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I Timothy. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Money, money, money
From October 5, 2010
The past three years have instilled in me a great disdain for money.
The past three years have also showed me that God will provide, no matter what.
So many times I was days from the end of the month, not knowing how I was going to pay rent. So many days, I wondered how I possibly was going to be able to eat for the week. And every single time, God has came through with all that I needed. Without fail, because here I am with a roof over my head and not starving.
But money - oh, I hate it so much. There was a moment the other day where I just realized for sure that I just can’t have a lot of it ever in my life. Having to live off the bare minimum these past few months especially, it has changed my perspective on a lot of things, and I know how much money I need to be happy - and that’s no money at all. Yet, I am also very excited about the prospect of earning a lot of money someday, so I can be very generous with it and just give it all away. I just don’t want it. I imagine it being like a hot potato, and casting it out of my hands as soon as possible. I’m not saying to be like “Oh, look at me! I’m Miss Charity!” I just seriously hate money so much after the ordeals I’ve gone through with it these past few years.
I didn’t even know how well off I was growing up. I had no idea. When people at school would call me “rich”, I’d scoff at them and debate it. I didn’t realize that my dad drove a luxury car or my house was bigger than most. I suppose that’s a testimony to how my parents raised me, because I had no idea.
Well, I didn’t have an idea until that all changed. I took the lifestyle I grew up with for granted because I didn’t know how nice it actually was. Then suddenly, the money wasn’t there. It still isn’t there. And that drastic shift in the state of my family’s finances put a lot of things in perspective for me. I was never was particularly materialistic to begin with, but now I definitely see a bigger picture. It revealed a lot about the nature of God as well as the nature of money. And though it’s still so hard, and not just because of the contrast, I can’t help but almost feel a little grateful for experiencing what it’s to be without. It has definitely changed my financial mindset.
It’s stressful and worrisome having to be concerned with money. I’ve seen what a lack of it does to people. I’ve seen what an influx of it does to people as well. Materialism in any sense is such an acidic thing. It eats away at you, it consumes you. The best thing I’ve ever done (and it’s most definitely a recent development) is to not care about money at all. God will provide, so I spend money on my necessities and know that I will always have enough to be provided for. Eliminating the worry of “Can I really buy this, even though I need a decent meal?” has left me a lot freer.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
I Timothy 6:6-10
The past three years have instilled in me a great disdain for money.
The past three years have also showed me that God will provide, no matter what.
So many times I was days from the end of the month, not knowing how I was going to pay rent. So many days, I wondered how I possibly was going to be able to eat for the week. And every single time, God has came through with all that I needed. Without fail, because here I am with a roof over my head and not starving.
But money - oh, I hate it so much. There was a moment the other day where I just realized for sure that I just can’t have a lot of it ever in my life. Having to live off the bare minimum these past few months especially, it has changed my perspective on a lot of things, and I know how much money I need to be happy - and that’s no money at all. Yet, I am also very excited about the prospect of earning a lot of money someday, so I can be very generous with it and just give it all away. I just don’t want it. I imagine it being like a hot potato, and casting it out of my hands as soon as possible. I’m not saying to be like “Oh, look at me! I’m Miss Charity!” I just seriously hate money so much after the ordeals I’ve gone through with it these past few years.
I didn’t even know how well off I was growing up. I had no idea. When people at school would call me “rich”, I’d scoff at them and debate it. I didn’t realize that my dad drove a luxury car or my house was bigger than most. I suppose that’s a testimony to how my parents raised me, because I had no idea.
Well, I didn’t have an idea until that all changed. I took the lifestyle I grew up with for granted because I didn’t know how nice it actually was. Then suddenly, the money wasn’t there. It still isn’t there. And that drastic shift in the state of my family’s finances put a lot of things in perspective for me. I was never was particularly materialistic to begin with, but now I definitely see a bigger picture. It revealed a lot about the nature of God as well as the nature of money. And though it’s still so hard, and not just because of the contrast, I can’t help but almost feel a little grateful for experiencing what it’s to be without. It has definitely changed my financial mindset.
It’s stressful and worrisome having to be concerned with money. I’ve seen what a lack of it does to people. I’ve seen what an influx of it does to people as well. Materialism in any sense is such an acidic thing. It eats away at you, it consumes you. The best thing I’ve ever done (and it’s most definitely a recent development) is to not care about money at all. God will provide, so I spend money on my necessities and know that I will always have enough to be provided for. Eliminating the worry of “Can I really buy this, even though I need a decent meal?” has left me a lot freer.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
I Timothy 6:6-10
A Greater Perspective.
From December 1, 2011
I was admittedly so disgruntled taking the bus this morning. And not the nice and shiny Culver City bus - no, the LA metro bus straight through and to the hood. Inglewood Courthouse, to be exact - so it wasn’t exactly luxurious.
But it just shows how ridiculously spoiled I am. Who am I to think that I’m above taking the bus, because I’m certainly not? Yeah, I grew up a certain way (let’s just say, money definitely wasn’t scarce), but that means nothing. As if I did anything special that allowed me to be born to a doctor - nope, it’s nothing I deserve. Nothing sets me apart from anyone else other than what God chose for my life.
Not that I waltzed onto that bus with my nose held high, as if I was one of those girls in a cliche “Rich girl loses all of her money and is suddenly thrust into poverty” movie role. No, certainly not. In fact, I would never initially think I had an attitude of implied superiority, but it’s so subtle as I sit on the bus, a little uncomfortable with shifty eyes, absolutely wishing there was any other means of transportation I could take other than the one I was forced to.
And of course naturally, I’m in a new environment I’m not used to - I’m gonna feel uncomfortable to an extent - but my recent forays on public buses have shown me just how spoiled I am without even realizing it. And it’s ridiculous - God had to put me in check real quick. Really, I should view everything as a blessing. At least there is public transportation for me to take! That in itself is more than I’m entitled to - that government provides a way for people without cars to get around the city!
And when I was on the bus, a woman confined to a wheelchair got on, and wow - how could I sit there, bitter and disgruntled? This woman is handicapped and by herself, having to take the public bus - might have to take every single day. Meanwhile, I can walk, had a friend with me, and have only had to take the bus three times in the three months I’ve been here. And won’t have to next week because I will be getting a car.
So it’s ridiculous and ungrateful of me to feel like I’m “better” than the bus. To be mad that I have to take the bus. God has blessed me so much, and goodness knows my contentment is not found from how I’m getting around. And I’m not better than the bus - the bus in itself is a blessing. Without the bus, where would I be? So in that sense, I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to take the bus.
I don’t. We get so caught up in our own little privileged world sometimes that when we’re in the slightest situation that is “below” what we’re used to, we suddenly get judgmental and feel all entitled, forgetting that everything we have is a gift from God to begin with. And that we are no better or no worse than anyone else - especially not because of our social/financial status!
Riding the public bus has been a huge eye-opener. I can’t help but be incredibly humbled by it. This car I’m getting next week - I just can’t take it for granted, because I know it’s a huge huge huge blessing and way more than most people have. When you experience the other end of the spectrum, even briefly, it gives you an entirely new perspective. I think we all just need to get out of our boxes sometimes, realize the world is not about us and what we have, and be aware of that other people on a daily basis have to deal with things that we could never dream of. Then stop complaining and stop actinglike we’re too good.
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
I Timothy 6:6-8
I was admittedly so disgruntled taking the bus this morning. And not the nice and shiny Culver City bus - no, the LA metro bus straight through and to the hood. Inglewood Courthouse, to be exact - so it wasn’t exactly luxurious.
But it just shows how ridiculously spoiled I am. Who am I to think that I’m above taking the bus, because I’m certainly not? Yeah, I grew up a certain way (let’s just say, money definitely wasn’t scarce), but that means nothing. As if I did anything special that allowed me to be born to a doctor - nope, it’s nothing I deserve. Nothing sets me apart from anyone else other than what God chose for my life.
Not that I waltzed onto that bus with my nose held high, as if I was one of those girls in a cliche “Rich girl loses all of her money and is suddenly thrust into poverty” movie role. No, certainly not. In fact, I would never initially think I had an attitude of implied superiority, but it’s so subtle as I sit on the bus, a little uncomfortable with shifty eyes, absolutely wishing there was any other means of transportation I could take other than the one I was forced to.
And of course naturally, I’m in a new environment I’m not used to - I’m gonna feel uncomfortable to an extent - but my recent forays on public buses have shown me just how spoiled I am without even realizing it. And it’s ridiculous - God had to put me in check real quick. Really, I should view everything as a blessing. At least there is public transportation for me to take! That in itself is more than I’m entitled to - that government provides a way for people without cars to get around the city!
And when I was on the bus, a woman confined to a wheelchair got on, and wow - how could I sit there, bitter and disgruntled? This woman is handicapped and by herself, having to take the public bus - might have to take every single day. Meanwhile, I can walk, had a friend with me, and have only had to take the bus three times in the three months I’ve been here. And won’t have to next week because I will be getting a car.
So it’s ridiculous and ungrateful of me to feel like I’m “better” than the bus. To be mad that I have to take the bus. God has blessed me so much, and goodness knows my contentment is not found from how I’m getting around. And I’m not better than the bus - the bus in itself is a blessing. Without the bus, where would I be? So in that sense, I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to take the bus.
I don’t. We get so caught up in our own little privileged world sometimes that when we’re in the slightest situation that is “below” what we’re used to, we suddenly get judgmental and feel all entitled, forgetting that everything we have is a gift from God to begin with. And that we are no better or no worse than anyone else - especially not because of our social/financial status!
Riding the public bus has been a huge eye-opener. I can’t help but be incredibly humbled by it. This car I’m getting next week - I just can’t take it for granted, because I know it’s a huge huge huge blessing and way more than most people have. When you experience the other end of the spectrum, even briefly, it gives you an entirely new perspective. I think we all just need to get out of our boxes sometimes, realize the world is not about us and what we have, and be aware of that other people on a daily basis have to deal with things that we could never dream of. Then stop complaining and stop actinglike we’re too good.
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
I Timothy 6:6-8
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