This morning I did what I could.
(SDWSC)
I set my alarm for 3:30 am and left my warm snugly bed to go pick up my 25 yr old son, who needed a ride to the airport. I was back home by 5:30 am. Back to sleep by 5:40.
At the time he asked me, I wanted to help, but let’s face it, 3:30 in the morning seemed a bit of a hassle and inconvenience. Being I’m a mom, I said yes. After all, I was doing what I could to help him out, right? Well, I was also just living up to what I have already learned, and that is to think of others more and my comfort less.
( Darn those life lessons that we have to live up to!!!)
I lived. I’m glad I did it. I did what I could.
And, now I read on in Philippians about this thing called a pattern of living. Paul wondered, or wanted them to think about, the pattern they were living by. Were they living according to the pattern or example he was teaching and had been setting, or were they living according to the pattern of the culture and the people around them.
Philippians 3:17-20
“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. ”
Pattern:
1: a form or model proposed for imitation :
2 : something designed or used as a model for making things <a dressmaker’s pattern>
3 : an artistic, musical, literary, or mechanical design or form
4 : a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group, or institution <a behavior pattern> <spending patterns>
What was the pattern Paul had given them?
- Humble before God
- Believing in Christ’s Work in and through Him
- Believing He is empowered and held together by Christ alone
- Trusting that Whatever Happens, It will be for ultimate good and growth
- Laying aside the past, Pressing on for the future
- Heart towards heaven
- Hand towards helping others
- Rejoicing. Always. Regardless. Praise Him.
How does this differ than living as an enemy of the cross of Christ?’
Do you live by a different pattern when you are remembering you are a citizen of heaven?
My patterns range from being connected to Christ and having a decent upward focus, to being obsessed with circumstances of the moment. I don’t like the pieces of my pattern sometimes, but I do like that I am becoming more and more aware. I do like that I am growing, being convicted when I am developing unhealthy patterns, or living in old ingrained ones.
Today I see a take away…
There is a pattern, examine the one I am living by.
There are options in the pattern I live in…one based on earthly pleasures and reasoning, the other based on the truest thing about me….I am a Citizen of a different kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven.
What take away do you see ?
Father,
I desire to live by the pattern you left, the pattern you taught and the pattern the Scriptures teach through human people like the Apostle Paul. Work in me your will. Teach me to be aware. Empower me for the right choices. In Jesus Name, Amen
Living up,
Debbie
P.S. Just incase you are wondering about SDWSC…I would like to recommend to you a book by Elisa Morgan, She Did What She Could. It’s a little book about 5 words that Jesus spoke that can change your life. It is a good read, a quick read, but a deep, deep,life changing message. Get it today…order online at any book source, purchase from your local Christian book store or download to your kindle. This is not a paid advertisement…just me, wanting you to know of good resources for your spiritual growth.
