Getting stuck in the past (whether it is from resentment, envy, past glory, or whatever), seems to be a killer when it comes to working out our present vocation. Smith writes, the ability to be "fully present" to the current situation, to the current moment, to the real circumstances of our current life mission, is a major growth step God asks us to make as we learn to think vocationally.
How do you think this works, and why do you think Smith makes such a point about it?
Becce
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I think the entire time I lived in Hawaii I was stuck in the past. Instead of being open to new things, I was focused on what I left behind. Focusing on my past didn't leave me any time, energy or inclination to live in the present or build for the future.
ReplyDeleteIt is past experiences, circumstances and decisions that have molded my present character. Therefore, I find it difficult to bury my past. Yet, this whole study on vocation is totally opposite to my thinking or what I assumed other people expected of me --- pursuing the heroic instead of the mundane; no limits to what you can do, etc. Yet, I am beginning to understand what Jesus meant when He said to live one day at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow for today has enough worries of its own. To be truly effective (to even know my vocation) I must think vocationally each day. It's "what does God want me to do today with the cicumstances and situations he has placed before me?" Each day it changes; sometimes slightly, sometimes drastically.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of "what does od have in mind for me today" works to clear our thinking of "what can I do for God today" and puts our hearts into a place of asking, "I wonder how god will allow me to be part of what He is doing today?"
ReplyDeleteHi to all of you. I am in Santa Barbara studying prayer, the language of dreams, healing,...and stuff like that. It is really fun.
Becce
Living in the present is something I have been challenged to do since Marni told me she was learning about living in the present risenness of Christ. HIS power in us at present...enough for right now. What a freedom to know that there is nothing I can do to change the past (I can only learn from it) and nothing I can do to change the future (except prepare for it). Truly, today is a gift (present).
ReplyDeleteThis past Sunday the teacher spoke from Isaiah 61. It starts with who He is, goes to who I am and then back to who He is. The verse that struck me was 3(b): "They will be called OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." Righteousness is about being in right relationship; being in right relationship with God, being in right relationship with each other and having moral discernment. That is my call...to be an oak of righteousness (today), a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. What I need to get over is the striving I go through to try and grow myself. I pray I will learn to rest in the soil of His Word and grow where I am planted (in my community). He will then show His splendor through me. Away with the shoulds and the woulds and the what ifs. Those are worms in the bark, working against the growth. To be present...here...today; that is all He expects of me. What a light burden to bear! Thank you, Lord!