Quote #1:
If we aren’t heading in the right direcion in our personal lives, we may accomplish our goals only to find out that we were going down the wrong road the whole time.
– Matt Perman, What’s Best Next
Reflection: I’m re-reading an essential book as we begin a new year. Before we get too far into 2018, it would behoove us to ask which direction we want to go! What if we end 2018, look back, and realize we worked our tails off and accomplished something that doesn’t matter? Instead, as we begin this new year, be cautious of your way!
Quote #2:
For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
– Jesus, Matthew 12:34
Reflection: You are what you eat! And as my kids like to remind me, I’m squishy, because I like to eat squishy foods. In the same way, what we allow in our hearts and minds will ultimately come out of our mouths. This means the books you read (or don’t read), the movies and shows you consume, video games played, conversations had will all pay a return. Like Quote #1, it’ll determine your life direction, so be careful what you consume!
Quote #3:
Solitude is the place of the great struggle and the great encounter – the struggle against the complusions of the false self, and the encounter with the loving God who offers himself as the substance of the new self.
– Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart
Reflection: In solitude, we are faced with our true self. There is no pretending, no impressing anyone, just an honest look into the mirror. In this place we find we discover our lifeblood. As Nouwen notes, we are hard-pressed by the great struggles against the compulsions of the false self, and we also encounter God himself. The question it leaves us with is this: is God’s offer of life fully satisfying? Or will we attempt to supplement it with something else? Fill in the blank with what most pulls you away from God and ask yourself what truly fulfills.
What saddens me when this happens is that we trade opportunities for intimacy with God for a fleeting moment of happiness. It’s come and gone in the blink of an eye.
I speak from experience. I suspect we’ve all had those moments, yet God invites us into a life of much more value. But so often we prostitute our most intimate moments with God for a cheap substitute. Solitude has the power to be a beautiful time with God, take advantage of it!
Quote #4:
If you don’t change direction, you may end up where you’re heading.
– Dao De Jing
Reflection: I hope you like where you’re headed!
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