Psalm 32:8-10 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Why do I do anything? It seems like I can’t work without some sort of external motivation. Why do we always have to be motivated by fear, pain, money, or pleasure? (Do you like the way I switched from “I” to “we?”)
I see it in my kids all the time. Sometimes, they will not work unless someone is standing over their shoulder. You know how it is, you show up in their room and they’re suddenly busy…I’m glad I’m not like that.
I’m sure that everyone is like this to some degree (I hope so, anyway). I seem to have more than my fair share of this attitude. As I have matured (no laughing, please), I am more able/willing to do the tasks that I don’t want to do.
I can see that, in my life, I have grown in stages: First, I learned to work – I work to earn money and it isn’t that difficult to be motivated to do this. Second, I work in/on/around my house. At first, I was more than happy to let the place go to pot. Now, I’m less willing to let things slide, although I still do. Third, my relationship with Carla. I don’t want you to think that I’m good at this, just better than I used to be. Fourth, my relationship with God. This is the area of my life I feel currently fits best with the verses listed above. Why do I always have to go through some trial before I seek God’s face? Why can’t I follow him because I know the reward will be great.
Maybe it’s a matter of success. By this, I mean, I can easily be successful at work and home so I like them and consider them strong points. However, the degree of difficulty and, therefore, my level of success, changes with my relationship with Carla. This is much more difficult to do. It’s messy and uncomfortable and doesn’t fit into neat little boxes. Not only do I have to accept her vulnerability, but I have to be vulnerable also. Who’s crazy idea was that? It’s hard, but I want to do it because I know that I can and will be successful.
Continued with “At the Cross.”
