Sunday Evening
I had to leave church early tonight (well, early for me) because my stomach was killing me. I don’t know what I ate, but my tummy is definitely not happy with me. However, I did hear the entire sermon. It was a really good sermon and it really challenged me in a few ways. One thing that Neal kept saying throughout the sermon was “mission statement.” Now, I have to be honest, I had never thought of an individual person having a mission statement, but everyone does, whether it’s spoken or not. I know what I want my mission statement to be, but I don’t think that’s what I’m really living at the moment; well I know it’s not what I’m living.
Towards the end of the sermon Neal gave us a hypothetical situation; suppose there are six people sitting around a table (you’re not there) and they’re talking about you, talking about specific things, what would they say. I would like to post those questions (some of them because I didn’t catch all of them) here and I would like your feedback. How do you see me in the following situations? If you don’t want to post your comment if you could please email it to me I would appreciate it. Since I have no idea who is reading this blog, if you know someone who does not read blogs and knows me if you could point them in this direction for this one special case I would appreciate it. Since I am so overly critical of myself I would really like to know how well I am reflecting Christ.
Am I living only for good times?
Do I have fun at others expense?
Do I live for possessions?
Am I helping good causes?
Where is God in my life?
What would you say my mission statement is?
posted by Diana at 11:54 PM
5 Comments:
Am I living only for good times?
Sorry Diana, but I don't see you as a party animal type (which is a good thing). You work hard and help others when they need you.
Do I have fun at others expense?
To be honest when I first met you I felt like you looked down on me because I wasn't as intellegent or whatever. But once I really got to know you, I knew better.
Do I live for possessions?
Nope I dont see it.
Am I helping good causes?
YES!!! You help out at church and you live for your SS class. You have also given your time just recently to helping at a camp.
Where is God in my life?
I believe God is you number 1
What would you say my mission statement is?
To help out with church activities and spread the Word through writting (this blog) as well as teaching SS School
Diana,
Thanks for the opportunity. I've been wanting to talk to you about all of your partying, gossip and fancy spending.
Okay, seriously, after getting to know you at camp I am all the more convinced of your devotion to Christ and His kids. As for good causes, who can ask for a better one than the one in which you currently serve? There's nothing more precious (in my opinion) than influencing the life a child for God's glory. Any you do it well.
Thanks for being such a great servant and friend. As for mission statements, I recommend Laurie Beth Jones' The Path. Thanks for seeking to serve Christ more with all that He made you to be. I will pass along your kind words to Neal, as I know he will appreciate them.
Summer
Hey DiDi!
I'm so flattered that you value my opinions this much! I hope they help. And I'll speak truth here; I won't say this stuff just because you're my friend, but because this is what you really are.
From what I've read in your blogs, Christ is number one for you. You've dedicated your time, life, energy, emotion and complete soul to Him. I'd call that devotion.
You DO NOT live only for the good times. You have praised Him in the good AND bad times and maintained your humility through it all. You have ALWAYS been up to any challenge that has come your way and whether you succeeded or failed, you never became arrogant nor bitter.
You have NEVER been a possession-driven person. You've always done your best with what you were given, be it material or spiritual resources.
You DO NOT have fun at others expense. You're not one to offend or belittle anyone and if you've ever hurt anyone's feelings it was unintentional and you made amends as quickly as you could.
Helping good causes? YOU BETCHA! Your SS class, volunteering at church and that recent camp outing; BTW, those pictures were GREAT! You graciously give of yourself without expecting reward, although I'm sure you receive much in return (it's just not in material form, which is just fine by you).
As for your mission statement, I'm not sure what exactly you're looking for here. If it's a phrase-type statement, like something you would use as a title for your autobiography, I'd say, "He Died For Me, So I Will Live For Him."
I hope my words will help you. I truly believe you are a great person and that while being critical of oneself keeps a person humble, being overly critical can hinder a person's full potential. Don't do that to yourself. You've got so much greatness in you it's not even funny! =)
Love you lots!
Judith
hmmm....I dunno.
Good times? Not too much.
others expense? Sometimes.
Posessions? maybe a bit. but I think everyone is posessive to some extent.
good causes? Sure. Pipeline, college, etc.
God? Pretty high. I'm not sure about number one, but I know you're working on it at least.
Mission Statement? I'm not too good at making mission statements. maybe something along the lines of, "I'll help where I can as much as I can so that others might see God." Or something like that.
Am I living only for good times?
Depends on your definition of good I guess. I haven't seen you forego the bad times, although I don't see you seeking them out either (as I dare say nobody ought to do). You take the "bad" times in stride and realize that, despite their difficulty, there are lessons to be learned and that God has allowed you to endure said "bad" times in the name of your maturation. So, in summary, I think that you have realized that even "bad" times are, well... "good" which is an awesome realization to come to. So, YES you do live for good times!
Do I have fun at others expense?
Only one person do I see you abuse in order to have fun, but he doesn't mind at all. That being your poor small group leader :O) I haven't seen any selfishness in you that has manifest itself by abusing others... perhaps your own expense, but not others. As we all do, myself very much included, we tend to think that doing things at our own expense only affects us, but it really affects others as well (our family, friends, and most importantly our God who is so very intimately attached to us). It's a difficult realization to come to and even more difficult to remedy. Just realize that you cannot take your fun to the point of exhaustion... (physically, cognitively, emotionally, or otherwise). Please note that this is a bit of a self-reflective rant more than anything else as I can take noble goals so far that they reach such a point (of exhaustion) rather than just simply "being still" and listening from time to time. Go and find some nature to have a sit down from time to time... and don't worry, I'm taking my own advice too!
Do I live for possessions?
This is an interesting question in your case... as you do not waste money on expensive cars and foolish ventures, unless you've been holding out on me and you have a Lambo that I don't know about yet (in which case you need to fess up real soon and let me borrow it for a week! :O) No, this question as far as you go can only be applied to the simple American tendency to get over-extended. Again, bare in mind this is reading into things I have observed perhaps too much and definitely projecting a bit of my weakness on you. I am currently struggling with a case of the "I deserve its," if you know what I mean. A healthy reserve is a sign of wisdom and lack of budgeting is folly. Do I think yours is a horrible case? No, but it is something I think all of us need to work on.
Am I helping good causes?
Without hesitation, YES.
Where is God in my life?
I see Him as your sustainer and your purpose. I feel that you (and share along with you) struggle to know what God would have you to do this moment, this day, and with your life as a whole. It is ever so difficult to be patient for the finished product as the painter works a blank canvas. I feel you, but I marvel in your struggle as I feel that the very struggle is what it is to be a baby Christ... to ardently seek after Him and His will for your life. It encourages me to continue on struggling my struggle with a smile.
What would you say my mission statement is?
I haven't even come up with mine yet, so this is really not very fair. However, I would say that your mission statement is:
Striving to serve selflessly!
All of this is just my opinion and really, how much does that matter in the scheme of things? I dare not say I'm an expert or a credible authority on the things that matter most... motives, conviction, and intimacy in relationship with God and others. I do see the value in the perspectives of others, but please take criticisms and even compliments with a grain of salt and seek Him for the honest and full TRUTH.
Great BLOGGING with you, talk to you soon.
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