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!"