In his Book “Perfectly Yourself”, Matthew
Kelly, leads us into a point of reflection which is a pretty tone setting one
for Lent – “Be Disciplined.” He
recaps for us the invitation to look at the “Wins and Woes” daily, to keep
track of asking Jesus daily “Where Do you Live?” (where are you?) and to come
to grips with what are our core values as followers of Jesus. He also gives us
the room, for ourselves, to focus every day to simply pray our own little
prayer:
Jesus I am
looking for you
Jesus I want to see where you live
Jesus I want to come and
see every day
This is a prayer, which we wrote, that helps
us in the silence of listening for His voice to remember that Character Defines our future, and that
what we hold on to, and let go of, both help us to define who we are and whose
we are. Ultimately this give us freedom to be Perfectly Yourself, and also to
experience the fact that moments matter.
During
the last course of this series we have been saying that for most of us - we
don’t judge life on the basis of all of the events we have gone through, - but
rather we look at specific moments which come to stand for the whole. Moments
matters because they form a lens through which we view things, understand
ourselves and our place in the world.
Some
moments matters more than others – and we have come to call those Defining
Moments. Defining Moments are brief intense experiences which bring definition
and meaning to our life Defining Moments are never for ourselves – they are
often to aide us in our relationship with others and we don’t have to be
perfect to have a Defining Moment. They are Moments of Decision - saying Yes. Moments of Definition - knowing the way. Moments
of Determination - deciding to keep at it. And when we experience them - well
our life has a clear meaning.
But
God also choose, as He has through all of scripture, to use moments to impart a
value or enrich a vision for our life. We call these – teachable moments. They
are occasions where our life gains a clarity that permits us to impart a
direction that impacts not only us, but instructs another, in the way we should
go. Rarely would these moments be “voices from the sky” or “stars in the East”
as we have learned, but they often come through the touch of Christ, upon us,
or through others.
Do you recall any teachable moments from your youth that were impressed
upon you by a parent, coach, teacher, pastor or other authority figure? If so,
what were they? Could these have been teachable moments? Was Christ impart upon
you a vision and value to aide in your journey? What were they? How did you
feel about them? Is there a way you can now share them and be His touch for
another – remember a Defining Moment is never just for ourselves.
We
lean into Lent which commences on February 14, 2018 which is Ash Wednesday with
a new Message Series – What Are You Waiting For?.