As Paul addressed the Athenians, he quoted a Greek poet, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” This was part of his talk proving God and Jesus to a different audience than his usual one. So he started with God as the “unknown” god to whom the Athenians had erected a statue just to make sure they didn’t forget anyone. Then God as the creator. Then humans as creation whose life purpose is to search for God.
So, upon finding God, what do we do? Well, we “live, move and have our being” in God. I think if you are going to contemplate upon any teaching this week, this is as good as any you will come up with. Think about what it means to live in God. Or–maybe like I’m doing right now–think of the times last week when I wasn’t living in God. I let my own problems and emotions come out rather than stopping, reflecting and letting my being rest in God. I’d act much differently.
Or–for as much as I know and as much as I practice, you’d think I’d be a much better person.
Speaking of practice, among the talks I listened to on my 8-hour flight to Germany yesterday was one by John Ortberg. He pointed out that we don’t need willpower to break a bad habit. We need a new habit. He’s right. Willp0wer will get you nowhere. You can develop a new habit, though, by deciding to do one thing and then do it for 30 days. By the end of 30 days, it should be a habit. In other words, you can choose your habits. If you are not living in God as well as you’d like to, then choose a habit to inculcate–perhaps reading the Bible for 15 minutes every morning, or praying three times a day methodically, or meditating 15 minutes every morning–and then do it. Your life will be changed.
Leave a comment