Audience of One

These days, it seems like there is a lot of pressure to succeed. Our parents want us to score high on the ACT/SAT so that we will be able to obtain more scholarships. Our teachers expect us to get good grades. If you go to the same school as an older sibling, there is the pressure to avoid embarrassing them. Especially, there is the burden to “fit in” among one’s peers.

With all of these audiences for whom we feel pressure to perform, it is easy to lose sight of the one that we should really be living for, and that is God. He should be our Audience of One. Learning to live for the Audience of One is a difficult, gradual process. Since we are human, there is the all-too-prevalent tendency to want glory for ourselves. If someone really wants to live for the Audience of One, he or she should pray every day, “Lord, help me to live my life before you today, and you only.” Whenever we catch ourselves trying to win the approval of others, we should repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. Another thing that might be helpful in defeating the habit of seeking recognition and acknowledgement from others is to remind yourself of God’s great love. He is the only one who will never love you less for making mistakes. If you fail a class, others may look at you as a failure; however, God will never view you that way. He will always view you as perfect because of what Christ did on the cross for our sins. Rest in that knowledge and live for the Audience of One.

1.      What other ways might there be to help us live for the Audience of One?

2.      Who am I personally trying to impress? What is evident of that?

Letter to Successful Gramps

Dear Gramps,

You are the most successful person whom I know. That is why I am writing this letter to you—to let you know all of the things about you that I admire. The characteristic that stands out about you the most is how “spiritual” you are. Let me explain what I mean by that. You have always been so kind and loving to everyone you meet, especially me. The kind words that you have spoken to me will always be remembered. You have a personal relationship with God and spend time with Him every day in prayer and in the Word. You are careful to teach what is true. I have never ever seen you become angry. You have given generously to people trying to raise funds to go on mission trips. You seem really “holy” to me, yet you are humble and admit that you have your own downfalls. You have always demonstrated hospitality towards me, welcoming me into your home. I really appreciate that. It made me feel special.

There are two “worldly” qualities that I admire in you. I love your sense of humor! You always know how to make me laugh. The other quality is your vast knowledge. I have been trying for the longest time to find something that you don’t know, but I have been unsuccessful in the endeavor.

I guess you are successful in my eyes because you are the closest representation (of all of the people I know) of how Christ lived. Becoming more and more like Christ is success. Genuinely loving others with Christ’s love is success.

Thank you for the example that you’ve provided me all of these years.

Love,

Your Triple B

1.      If I really respect these characteristics in someone else, why is it so hard for me to develop them in myself?

2.      Do I have an appropriate view of calling or have the distortions blinded my eyes to the truth?

Changes at JBU and What I Want

            Ever since I came to JBU, I have been changed in a few ways. I seem to value relationships with my family members more. (Before, I just basically disregarded them and was eager to get away from home.) I am also learning to be dependent on God. Being far away from family and friends has probably caused this. I have also been humbled. I came to John Brown thinking that I would strive to be valedictorian (since I was valedictorian of my high school), but calculus and other classes have changed that.

            As for what I want, I am not exactly sure. There is always the typical answer, “Oh, I want to have a closer relationship with God.” However, I am doing nothing to foster that, so I would sound hypocritical if I did say that.

            Recently, God did instill in me the desire to work with people who are mentally and physically disabled. Whether I will just care for basic needs, become a nurse, or be a doctor has yet to be decided/revealed. This decision comes largely from the fact that I have never really been talented at socializing with people who are “normal,” especially those my own age. Another factor that played into this decision was a mission trip to Jamaica in February 2011. While there, I had the opportunity to go to West Haven, a home for children who are disabled. I immediately felt a connection to the people there, even though some of them could not talk. I am excited to see what God has in store for me and how He will use me!

1.      Will fear of the unknown paralyze me from acting on what I know God wants me to do (whether it is a career or any other task)?

2.      What other changes will God make in me while I am here at JBU?

Memories

The scene starts out with me in the computer lab at my high school after school, doodling on a whiteboard. (Names have been changed for identity purposes.)

“Leah, are you busy?” I turned around and saw Miss Mayfield, the 5^th grade teacher at my school.

            “No.”

            “Do you mind helping John with his math homework?”

            “Sure, I’ll help.”

I walked from the computer lab to the 5^th grade room where John was sitting at a desk with his math book open.

            “What numbers do you have to do today?”

            “Two through forty-eight even.”

            For the next hour or so, I helped John with his math. There were times when it seemed like he was about to give up, but I encouraged him to keep on going. It was also difficult to try to explain concepts to him in a way that he would understand.

            “Yay! We’re done now. Good job, John! Well, I better go. I don’t want to miss the volleyball game.”

            This simple experience sticks out in my mind because God gave me a deep love for John (Christ’s love, that is). Earlier in the week in Bible class, I had learned the Greek word “makarios,” which means “happy.” During (and especially after) the time that I was helping John with his math homework, I had such a strong feeling of joy. I could have been working on other homework; however, the joy that was produced in me, made me have no regrets about how I spent that time. I was “makarios” during the event and afterwards.

            From that memory and other memories that I have, it seems that the events and scenes that I remember are the ones in which Christ is being glorified (either through me or others).

1.      Do you think God wants us to remember only the “good” memories or “bad” memories as well? Why?

2.      Do you think that God plants all of the thoughts that one has in a person’s head? Explain.

Busyness, Work, and Rest

    These days it seems that people are running around from one thing to the next; there is a large quantity of activities to be involved in. College students seem to be one of the prime examples of this busyness. What drives this busyness? Why are people involved in many different extra-curricular activities? The top reasons are lack of dependence on God and the desire for glory for oneself. From a young age, achievement and the type of job someone will have when they are older are emphasized. They are encouraged by a variety of people (parents, teachers, relatives, etc.) that they should attempt to get a career where they will be well-off financially. This sort of attitude is wrong. Instead, we should strive to follow the guidelines for work that God laid out for us in the Bible. According to God’s Word, we should view work as a means of glorifying God and serving others with the talents and abilities that he has given to us. It is not about obtaining a job that will provide the means for us to live. Instead, we should trust in God to provide our needs. When we try to control life ourselves, we are doing a poor job of trusting God. Instead, we ought to commit our lives to our Lord and ask Him what job he would have us to do. The overarching theme in all of this is that we be faithful to God by obeying his commands. One of the commands that God has given us is that we observe the Sabbath- one day to just rest and reflect on Him. Examining my own life, it seems that I have some revising to do. Inwardly, I do think these things are important; applying them to my own life is the difficult part. I can certainly do better with observing the Sabbath for the whole day (not just in the morning). I also need to revise my thinking about studying. Currently, I have been doing my schoolwork with the intention of gaining honor for myself. I am sure that God’s approach to work (including homework) will be more beneficial for me.