Columbian…again… I am starting to wonder if I’m becoming a bore, if I’m slipping into a coffee rut. I don’t want to be totally predictable. I don’t want people to think that I never branch out and try something new.
I am a firstborn. How much does this affect me? I am precise, organized, and follow the rules. You wouldn’t catch me parking in a handicap spot, not even at 2:00 in the morning on a quick run to the grocery store in a snow storm. I am reading a book called “The Birth Order Connection”. It is really giving me some insight into why I think the way I do and what I should be looking for in a spouse. I fit the first born mold…somewhat. I love adventure and being spontaneous. I don’t like to draw attention to myself but would gladly lead people in worship or on an expedition because the focus isn’t on me leading. The focus is on where we are going and what we are doing. I am planning a trip to
I wonder how much my first born male mentality affects my life; my relationship with God. Do I strive for perfection when I should be resting in His arms? Do I push the congregation toward the same goal while leading them in worship? Do I miss out on the beauty of being able to rest in the midst of a mess because instead I stress? Do I worry instead of having faith and being “anxious in nothing”? Do I overanalyze; like right now?
I know that God loves me and has created me in His image…just the way I am. Why do I sometimes struggle to find that peace that surpasses all understanding? I want to be more like Him; strong, loving, gracious, passionate, peaceful, secure. I care too much about what others think of me and not enough about what He thinks of me. Thank God for grace!
How do you think your birth order has shaped how you view and respond to life; to God; in relationships? How can being aware of these things help you to handle them better?
FYI…I am now on a cup of…HIGHLANDER CRÈME J…I’M CRAZY!!!
4 comments:
hmm...this all seems so familiar...almost like i've heard it before..... :)
Interesting book, huh?!?!
Being the last born you'd think that I would be more carefree than I am. I do love adventure, but also like plans. I overanalyze but at the same realize everything is out of my hands. I think the theory of why people act as they do is because of their birth order is not as accurate as our past experiences determining our actions. I do believe we are born with certain temperaments, but also have choices of how we actually go about life. We can choose to worry or we can go to God for peace and contentment even if we are the middle or last born. As far as dating relationships go, I feel like I had to always act as the first born and be the spiritual leader. This doesn’t align with my personality or with God’s design for male/female relationships, so that’s probably why those relationships never worked out. Anyway, once again great thoughts Pastor D!!
a few thoughts on peace that I read this morning from Steve Troxel's God's Daily Word....
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he said those who have placed
their faith in Jesus now have a basic formula for a life of peace.
Philippians 4:4-7
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Our formula for peace is: 1) Rejoice, 2) Rejoice some more, 3) Be
gentle, 4) Know God is near, 5) Remove all anxiety, and 6) Pray about
everything with a thankful heart. Jesus promised that those who trust
in Him will receive a peace beyond anything this world can understand:
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as
the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid" (John 14:27).
If our lives are lacking peace, the ONLY solution is to draw nearer to
God, trust Him more, and rejoice (and rejoice and rejoice) as we are
guided by His Spirit. Only then will we find the "success" we have
been striving for - only then will we obtain what our heart longs
for...the true peace of God!
Peace my friend!
Oops! forgot to post my name in the last post. :)
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