// December 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog
Interesting topic if you think about it really earnestly. My pastor in church this morning talked a lot on topics and ideas that I really never even paid much mind to, but in many ways, it all makes a world of sense and logic. We spend 2-3 months preparing ourselves physically and mentally for December 25th, and the hype and emotions build and build. We go out shopping to buy and buy. We anticipate this one day so much, that in many ways this single 24 hour day becomes an event for us. It’s like Super Bowl of Christians, the big day of all days, the World Series of faith and worship. Then after Christmas is over and everyone has opened their gifts, spent time with the family, have gloated themselves with family feasts, we kind of strike into a downward mental slope of sorts. A downer if you will. And we get the point where we ask ourselves, “What Now?”
This was the topic of Pastor Paul‘s sermon this morning at Christ Church of Orlando, and let me tell you, it made a lot of sense to me. What do we as faith believers do now after the big “event” is over and we’re waiting on New Years or the next Holiday around the corner? Much like a car is motion is moving forward, without a path or destination, the car wonders aimlessly in circles. Food for thought here gang, “Value Progress More Than Movement.” Any movement is good motion, but progressive movement is directional and transcending. To progress in life and mature as an adult and in faith is progress. So, instead of being bewildered in self pity after Christmas, we should kind of stop and reflect on our life for this one week before the New Year. Does our life have progress and direction? Or are you simply “Driving Miss Daisy?” I simply love this concept of thinking. The reason being, I personally needed that moment to stop and look at things prospectively in my own life and kind of readjust my mentality towards spiritual understanding rather than personal gain. There’s a lot of stuff that goes on in my life that I just keep hush, and for good reason. And it takes it toll on me emotionally and from time to time drains me of my joy and happiness. I share these hardships with just a limited handful of people, and my pastor is one of those trusted leaders in my life that I feel guides me through his messages and delivers exactly what I need to hear when I need it!
Another interesting topic of conversation for you, “Value Character More Than Reputation.” Character is how we see ourselves and no one else. Sometimes we’re our own worse judge, and I’m always guilty of being my own worst critic in life. I never give myself a chance to shine and be heard enough, but it’s my limiting characteristics than hinder me from becoming something more than I am now. I could honestly care less about my reputation, because frankly, it doesn’t really concern me about what others think and feel about me. I am nice, friendly and humble to everyone around me, even those than don’t like me as much, but in terms of my reputation in my eyes, it doesn’t bother me. But get this, I am more concerned about how others perceive my character than my own reputation, meaning I want others to have a positive and good impact with all ties of communication to and from me. My character needs a stronger foundation, I’ll be the first to admit it. I need a better self image, and be more confident in doing and achieving my goals in life and not worrying so much about the “if’s” in life. Again, progress is better than movement, and character is stronger than reputation.
Lastly, “Value Spirituality More Than Religious Values.” This simple phrase could really raise some eyebrows back home in the heart of the bible belt in Kentucky where religious values are reared more than becoming closer to God spiritually. Practices likes not wearing makeup, no jewelry, no hairspray, men must wear long sleeve shirts, women must wear their hair in a particular style and always wear dresses below the knees, the alter is the only place to be saved (FALSE) and some in the backwoods of Appalachia even practice the ritual of snake-handling. Yes, I’ve seen in myself and was scared like you wouldn’t believe, but it’s out there. Even some Christian denominations practice rituals, ceremony and tradition more than actually worshiping God and growing stronger in Christ. I wish some people back home could grasp this firm reality than their practice of traditions doesn’t grant them everything in their Christian walk of life. It’s a harsh but sad truth about rituals and traditions dating back to Old Testament days. I remember hearing some old elders of the church saying things like, “We need to get back to the days of old, and practice the old ways.” Okay, are we invoking the idea that going back to the 1920′s is a good thing? Many of the old elders and saints in the Baptist churches back home believe that practicing traditions handed down over the centuries is their life-link to living Holy. Holding some traditional values are good, but not substantial enough in today’s modern sophisticated society of tech-gurus. What was horse and buggy then is iPhone and Twitter now. Embracing what you have in the now can be your biggest advantage depending on how you use it and what you use it for, haha. Christ himself even had to break the chains of tradition and Christian man-made laws and simply offer himself as the one true peacekeeper and sustaining force of spirituality and growing. Of course doing this led to his own persecution and and ultimately the rejection from his own people.
So, after hearing Pastor Paul elaborate this morning about “After Christmas,” I am left with this simple thought. Adjust, realign and progress spiritually. I need to take this to heart, and hopefully by this time next year, see the fruit of my labor and praying come to pass. It’s my ultimate goal in life to do one simple thing, and be able to achieve that one simple task. I know what that is, and even though I choose not share that online, I will say this, my faith will carry me through. It has proven effective to me 100% of the time, and had it not been for my faith in Christ, Joe Burke would not be here today. Plain and simple. God’s hand is over me, and his blessings continue to pour out in my life daily. Thankfully, I have a great place here in Orlando to share in God’s joy, love and understanding, and I would like to say thanks to all the fine folks at Christ Church of Orlando for being my home the past year. I look forward to 2010 and growing more and more with you!
Of course, you can find scripture to back all this up in Luke 2:39-40, Isaiah 61:1-3, John 2:23-25 and Luke 4:18-21. Good reading to get you started in the year ahead!
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