Discernment Rocks!

So as I was doing some reading today, there was a sentence that caused me to pause for a moment and think (I love those moments).

I was reading a letter that Paul wrote back in the first century. He was writing to a group of Christ followers in Ephesus, and talking about how to live life. Towards the end of his letter he is encouraging them to live their lives with love, just as Christ did. He tells them that they need to turn away from stupid crap, like foolish talk, sexual sins, coarse humor, etc... Why? Because they/we (Christ followers) are Gods children, not sons of disobedience. We are called to walk in the "light". We should not take part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead to expose them.

Then he wrote that we should "try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." (thats where I paused).

I love this! The Bible does not simply hand us a list of things that we should do and things that we should not do. I love that as a Christian I am supposed to be figuring out what I can do that will bring pleasure to God. Think about it! Each of us are so different and have such unique personalities, and within this amazing diversity we are to do things daily that will bring a smile to our fathers face. There is such fresh creativity in this! This means that life should not be the same old boring routine day after day. We are to be in habit of constantly evaluating our life, talents, placement, friends, struggles, blessings, etc... and discerning what we can do to bring pleasure to the Lord.

The Christian life is not one where you die from stale boredom and mundane routine. It is filled with fresh and constant change and an ever growing, vibrant relationship with Christ. We don't exist by crossing off lists and digging into an old box of broken ideas and moldy offerings. We instead flourish, reflecting the image of God through our lives of creative worship (both individually and corporately). We use our minds and contemplate wonderful things, like figuring out how to best please Christ. Of course we have our low times but it is then that we learn some of the most precious realities of our God.

As was the experience for King Tirian, Lucy, Eustace, Digory, and the rest..."Further up, and further in!"

This may be a stupid question but...

So today I had the pleasure of driving around Kent to run some quick errands. Since I live in a town where 50% of its population is comprised of college students the typically mindless task of driving somehow requires much more concentration than usual. Despite the snowy roads I eventually made it to the Post Office (Gods grace alone).

The PO in Kent is always an adventure. Its one of those places that has a really weird mixture of people. There is the old guy who talks to himself and digs through the trash cans for discarded pizza hut coupons. Then there is the super loud lady who loves the fact that she owns a cell phone and has at least one friend that she can spew the days events to while everyone grumpily waits in line. My post today was prompted by another segment of our population represented there, Students.

Before I was attended to by the ever eager PO staff, I overheard a brief conversation. This young guy was wanting to mail a handful of papers and asked for an envelope. Before the worker had a chance to pull it out the always learning student (I am only assuming that he was one) had a quick question. He set it up with, "This may be a stupid question...". I love it when I hear people start out with that phrase. Normally when we hear this it actually does end up being a stupid question, but we can see how it is somehow a legitimate query. Not so today. He went on to ask the clerk, and this is in all seriousness mind you, where on the envelope he is supposed to place his stamp! Holy crap (thats what went though my mind instantly). The clerk, after realizing this was an honest question, went on to explain that it goes in the top right corner. Then he moved on to the return address, etc...

I guess, for some, learning something new every day will be a fairly easy goal in this life.