There are a lot of things that people focus on that I've never really found myself prone to spend countless hours contemplating. considering the topics of this book I'm wondering if perhaps I should spend more time meditating on the subjects. for one, the question of meaning of life has never really peaked my curiosity. It just seems blatantly obvious to me that we were put here by God to serve and love Him. He gave us certain gifts and we are to use them to His glory. the rest is inconsequential. however, its thorough discussion in Christian novels are making me wonder if (like the first time I read "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and assumed the identity of the Half-Blood prince was obvious but then it turned out to be a different character than I expected) my hasty conclusion is not all there is to the matter.
also, I don't spend a lot of time contemplating what comes after this life. I know that if I love God and live for Him there will be a place for me in His house once my time here is up. A lot of places say that this life is "preparation" for the next. what on earth does "preparation" mean? is it like High School where you're learning how to learn so that when you get to the stuff you need to learn for your particular field you know how to? I thought the only thing necessary to be ready for the next life is loving God.
Evangelism is another thing. I read a book by Pat Boone called "A New Song" (I don't recommend it to anyone who is bothered by sub-par writing style or grammar). It's basically a spiritual autobiography for him and his family. They were a family that was very outspoken about their faith and very willing to talk to people with different beliefs and "talk them into God" so to speak. I'm definitely a person who would like to respect other people's beliefs. I mean, I have a hard enough time walking up to other christians and saying "hey can we talk about God?" so clearly I don't have the gumption to talk to people with other views. I will certainly ask them about their views and hear what they believe, as well as share what I believe and answer any questions that they have to the best of my ability, but I'm just not in the business of imposing my views on others. I have in several instances heard what they believe and sometimes I can tell that God is the only gap in their logic and begin praying for them that their hearts might be open to Him. To make up for my lack of outgoingness on the subject matter I also frequently pass on books I feel would be helpful to them and their faith as well as particular songs or bands that speak more articulately than I can. I think I've decided the evangelical path for me is to live my life all for God and hope that serves as a catalyst for people to ask about Him. Pat's daughters all had a certain glow about them that other people very much noticed when they decided their lives entirely to Jesus, and that is what got them asking about God and their faith and led to many people coming to Christ in the Boone home.
My strongest tool is prayer. so I will be praying for the strength and guidance to live in a way that touches everyone I meet with God's light and love and gets them thinking about Him, as well as praying for those who don't know Him, that the eyes of their hearts might open and see Him
I thank God for timing. A few years ago I read a book that was just so perfectly timed in my life and today I picked up the next book by the same author and it is the best imaginable timing. He has so much planned and in control that we could never know about. I suspect that one of my lessons for this summer is how to lead a less busy lifestyle to highlights the habits that need to be cleaned up and learn how to truly know that God is in control.
I also think this summer is the answer to my prayers at the end of the semester which was my daily morning wishes of only wanting to practice and learn about God.
and on that note, I think I'll practice organ tonight :-)
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