Advent – Day 12
Dec 12 in Advent
Socrates said “To know yourself is the beginning of wisdom”
The Bible says, to fear God is the beginning of wisdom. However, knowing who I am, having a purpose, a direction and a reason why is important to knowing where you’re headed. What is your purpose?
In the film ‘Chariots of fire’ the main character (playing the role of Eric Liddel) is training for the 1924 Olimpics, one sentence struck me and changed my life, he said: ‘God made me fast and I will win!’ My prayer that night was ‘What did You make me?’ The answer was not immediate, but when it did come I realized just how much God knows me and what little I know about myself. What did God make you? Do you know? Ask.
Sometimes it is good to write lists (in my case maybe not so much as I have them in every room, every bag, nook and cranny), but it helps you to download things and evaluate where you’re heading, see clearer, distinguish the precious from the worthless, envision the road ahead, understand what you’re working towards; like an arrow that needs to be positioned at the right angle to hit target.
Things you might find helpful to list:
1. Identify and develop your strengths.
2. Identify and build up your weaknesses.
3. What do you fear? What is the worst that can happen? Is there anything that happened to make you fear this particular thing? What hopes did you once have that you maybe let go of? (Hope deferred makes the heart sick).
4. Write a list of your greatest achievements or successes. (Don’t disregard childhood achievements, they can be eye-openers).
5. What areas do you need to improve in? You may need some outside help, ask those around you who see what you perhaps miss to notice, to be honest and tell you areas in which you can improve. We are character developing, not picking holes. You may also find that you’re being too hard on yourself.
6. Write your short term goals
7. Write down long term goals.
Begin to appropriate them.
8. List the areas in your life where you would like to improve as a person, spouse, parent, friend, son or daughter. What do you admire in others? personal traits you would like to have.
Finally pray each point in, ask the Lord to show you those things that are good and worthwhile, to have His heart and view on each one; then ask Him to burn up like chaff anything that is not true or would be a distraction or diversion from those things that are, sort out false ideals, wrong patterns of thinking, recognize wrong behaviours, attitudes, goals and help you to reach the goal He has envisioned for your life. Thank him for everything you do have and that He is perfecting His character in you and will finish the work He has begun, that He might have His way! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!