Rev. Hilliard told us that if we wanted God to move for us in one area of our lives, we must do three specific things, one of which I will explain in this blog. He said that these things would take discipline, and I immediately held my breath.
Discipline is something that I used to have, but something I have been lacking as a whole for a really long time (how else do you explain the yo-yo dieting, the fickleness with my hair prior to finding my most recent regimen, etc). I am always big on making plans, but I almost always fall through. I don't know why. But I do know that if I want 2012 to really be my year, I have to make some changes.
Before I even begin trying to learn more about His word, I am going to correct the things that I already know are in opposition with it:
Discipline is something that I used to have, but something I have been lacking as a whole for a really long time (how else do you explain the yo-yo dieting, the fickleness with my hair prior to finding my most recent regimen, etc). I am always big on making plans, but I almost always fall through. I don't know why. But I do know that if I want 2012 to really be my year, I have to make some changes.
Discipline to Respect the Word of God
Rev. Hilliard explained that respecting the Word of God provides our vision for living. Respecting His Word allows us to fine-tune the ability to hear God's voice - something I know I need help with. There's nothing worse than talking to someone who you feel is not listening or responding (and I know - I'm a teacher!) It occurred to me that perhaps I felt that God was not listening because I have not been listening.
I don't know everything in the Bible, but I do know enough to know that I have been ignoring a lot of what I do know. I know I am only human, but I still know better, and I know that I can be better. If I want God to move in my favor, I have to know His voice.
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Before I even begin trying to learn more about His word, I am going to correct the things that I already know are in opposition with it:
- I will rejoin my church congregation, or visit another congregation when I am away from home every Sunday. God is very specific in saying that Christians should fellowship with each other apart from personal devotions
- I will attend or participate in some sort of Bible study with someone who can teach me about God's words every week
- I will remain celibate until marriage, and sober for the rest of my life. God is specific about sex before marriage, and although I have already messed up, I can make better decisions from now. Additionally, God is also specific about drunkeness. It's definitely not often that I have overdrunk (mostly because I'm usually too busy to go out or to waste a couple of days trying to recover), but I know it's not in His will to be drunk at all. A glass is fine (as far as I've read), but drunkenness is not
- I will stop overeating. While He does talk about gluttony being wrong, my biggest conviction is turning food into a god, which is even worse
- I will stop using profanity. He talks about how powerful our tongues are, and as someone who is a student of language, this should be a no-brainer. I also understand the importance of profanity as a linguistic expression, but I would be kidding myself if I really thought I used it solely for that purpose. I am careless with my tongue in general, and that has to change
Rev. Hilliard challenged us to spend one hour a day respecting the Word of God by focusing on Biblical teachings in that area we want to develop. I am going to find teachings on relationships, love, and self-esteem and devote an hour each day to reading and learning.
In order to do this, there are things that I will have to give up, because I can hardly find an hour in a day to do anything. So, I will be removing myself from the haircare forum to which I am addicted to make more time for myself and my relationship with God, as well as turning off and putting away my phone (which I NEVER do) during that hour.
Maybe this is an ambitious effort, and will require a lot from me, but I am being intentional about turning my life around.
