Nov 8
Here is where to begin reading Daily Doses 11-20 in order.
Answering the contentment question honestly, particularly when the answer is, “No,” frees us to see the situation the way the Lord does—and that leads to the next question, the direction question: “What should I do to make [whatever] more satisfactory to the Lord?” The answer to THAT question opens up the world of stewardship action steps. Read more
If this were the best it would ever be, would I be content?
If you have asked yourself that question, do you feel a little beyond yourself, rather like you are outside of yourself and looking on? Is there a bit of a squirm in your inner self? Do you feel a wavering sense that part of you must say “No,” to be honest, but most of you wants to say, “Yeah, sure, whatever,” either because you know you should be content, or you don’t really want to face squarely the alternative? Read more
The discipline, diligence, and stewardship we demonstrate in our lives is more of a statement about our contentment with our designated priorities and our willingness to work through them than about us possessing any special talent or organizational flair.
When we find ourselves spinning our wheels in frustration with our lives, the quickest and easiest way to squirm away from that frustration, conviction, pressure, or dissatisfaction is to begin to daydream about “when” it will be gone. Tired of tests, five hundred page reading assignments, and endless oral presentations? Start wishing for the time when school will be done. Ready to collapse in a tearful heap on the floor because for the twenty-seventh day in a row you’ve changed hundreds of diapers, picked up thousands of blocks, served millions of peanut butter sandwiches, and managed to get dressed at the same time you were fixing supper? Start wishing for when the kids will be in school. Had it with unreasonable bosses who act like they own you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week? Wish for retirement, a new job, or the golden opportunity to be your own boss. Read more
Are personal spiritual disciplines, then, the only priorities with which we must be concerned? To answer that question, we need to ask another right question: Are you a man or a woman?
The answer to this second definitive question blossoms into a clear set of biblical priorities. While the Scripture unites male and female before God in salvation, it has just as clearly outlined distinctive responsibilities and roles for our daily lives. Read more
Allowing value verses to roll around in our minds for a bit, we (or at least I) sense an underlying theme of being transformed into the image of Christ, becoming Christ-like, making Christ known in every aspect of my life, and having Christ’s holiness, wisdom, and character replace the fleshiness of me.
These ideas, in turn, lead directly to, “How can I do that?”, our go-to generator question for helping our minds translate an inspiring, but vaguely actionable value into a more practical priority for life. So, how can I do that? How can I become more Christ-like? How can I have His wisdom and character replace me? Read more
Priority Stewardship 