Hi again everyone!! So I am done for today--just picking up where I should have been last week. This lesson was kind of wierd--the first part was good-talking about how we must be able to consider our accomplishments nothing and empty ourselves of that pride in order to be able to be filled up and a vessel for God. I agree with her that we should not be prideful--and maybe I am missing the point--but part of the assignment was to write down all past accomplishments and anything that defines you as far as family history then tear it up because it means nothing. I guess I feel being raised by Christian parents and having a marriage that we work on continuously but for the most part is good are things that define me, but they are certainly not garbage. I don't feel that I am better than anyone because of this, but it is a real part of my life. I don't feel that my marriage is (mostly) good because I am so good, but instead because I am so blessed and God has led us through some rough times. I know that without these things I can still be used by God, but at this point they are part of me. I don't know if this makes sense--I just didn't quite understand why I should consider those things "rubbish" as she calls them, but I do understand I should not take credit for any of it which may have been her point. Glad to be back!!
I agree, Sarah. Your marriage and other blessing are not rubbish. Maybe her point was that even though these things are indeed good, they are not who you are at the most basic level. Being raised by good parents certainly is a blessing but not necessary for salvation or to receive God's love. And should you lose that good marriage for some reason, you would not lose your salvation or His love. At the most basic level you are a creation of God and unconditionally loved by Him no matter how you were raised or what condition your marriage is in. When we realize this, it has a couple of consequences. It frees us from the performance trap (my worth is based on what I do) and it teaches us to love others no matter their circumstances because we are loved no matter our circumstances.
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I am about done with my chapter and will finish it in bed so I will soon be done for today.
Hi again everyone!! So I am done for today--just picking up where I should have been last week. This lesson was kind of wierd--the first part was good-talking about how we must be able to consider our accomplishments nothing and empty ourselves of that pride in order to be able to be filled up and a vessel for God. I agree with her that we should not be prideful--and maybe I am missing the point--but part of the assignment was to write down all past accomplishments and anything that defines you as far as family history then tear it up because it means nothing. I guess I feel being raised by Christian parents and having a marriage that we work on continuously but for the most part is good are things that define me, but they are certainly not garbage. I don't feel that I am better than anyone because of this, but it is a real part of my life. I don't feel that my marriage is (mostly) good because I am so good, but instead because I am so blessed and God has led us through some rough times. I know that without these things I can still be used by God, but at this point they are part of me. I don't know if this makes sense--I just didn't quite understand why I should consider those things "rubbish" as she calls them, but I do understand I should not take credit for any of it which may have been her point. Glad to be back!!
I agree, Sarah. Your marriage and other blessing are not rubbish. Maybe her point was that even though these things are indeed good, they are not who you are at the most basic level. Being raised by good parents certainly is a blessing but not necessary for salvation or to receive God's love. And should you lose that good marriage for some reason, you would not lose your salvation or His love. At the most basic level you are a creation of God and unconditionally loved by Him no matter how you were raised or what condition your marriage is in. When we realize this, it has a couple of consequences. It frees us from the performance trap (my worth is based on what I do) and it teaches us to love others no matter their circumstances because we are loved no matter our circumstances.
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