Living Effectively.

Living Effectively.

1ef·fec·tive adjective \i-ˈfek-tiv, e-, ē-, ə-\ : producing a result that is wanted : having an intended effect

Living a life that produces a result that is wanted.

What do you want out of life?

It takes no time at all to begin to look at people and things as a ruler to measure our success. It takes no time at all to look at what you are doing right in life, and what everyone else is doing wrong. No matter how much truth there is or isn't in your conjecture.

It takes no time at all to forget that joy is a choice, and that serving others is a privilege, and not a chore.

It takes no time at all to forget that giving is greater than receiving.

That listening to someone, and giving them your ear, brings far more healing to their soul than showing our own brilliance by identifying the cause and "cure" of their ailments.

It takes no time at all to forget that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God the Father will not leave us or forsake us. Even if it feels like everyone, including ourselves, will.

It takes no time at all to forget that the life we want to live contains a lot more laughter than worry, a lot more hugging and dancing and clapping than furrows of the brow or wagging fingers. It takes no time at all to forget that the things we ourselves truly desire are peace, joy, love, grace for others, and grace for ourselves. When we can barely remember that those are the things that we value, it makes it even more difficult to believe that is the innermost desire of others, as well.

But I believe that our actual self and our ideal self are actually one in the same.

The old creation is gone, the new creation has come.

I believe that on a daily basis, our battle is not one against flesh and blood, but of principalities and darkness.

So guard your tongues. Speak life. Speak life. Speak peace. Speak love. Speak forgiveness. For ourselves and for others.

Remember what it is we are living for. Live effectively. Read His Word, and recall all of the beautiful, selfless, compassionate thoughts that you have ever had, and forget the doubt and fear that stole them.

You are not your old self! Live effectively! Guard your tongue, and be aware of each thought that you entertain. Live by His spirit, offering yourself the same grace and room for error that He does. Fight shame, guilt, fear, and doubt with the same fervency you fight injustice. They themselves are an injustice. Identify and admit that The Greatest of These Is Love! As important as accepting yourself as a lover of souls, is accepting others as lovers of souls. Believing in the best of and for one another, is as critical as accepting our own freedom from sin. In order to move the Gospel of peace and love, we must believe that Christ's love lives in the captives, despite their chains, and encourage them to allow His love to shine through, despite the darkness they have come to know and accept. A detailed description of how our love should look:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version (NIV) 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.