Why we do, what we do?

There are several reasons as to WHY WE DO, WHAT WE DO?
It could be our upbringing; maybe our habbit; because it was always done like that .. the list could go on.

We also justify or rationalize our actions, based on the above.

Today a thought struck me as were meditating from Romans 15:14-22, in our staff meeting.
Paul, when he wrote to the Romans, he had never visited them yet! Though he had a longing to visit them, we are unsure if he ever did. And this is one of the epistles which he wrote, with whom he never had any contact with or a relationship.

His explanation in not visiting them or preaching to them is based on Paul's perception in prioritizing, based on the interest of his audience.

First of all, Paul states 3 reasons, why he doesn't intend to visit them or preach to them in vs.14 - because they are:
a) full of goodness;
b) complete in knowledge; &
c) competent to instruction one another

Paul only foresees few minor issues, which he addresses through this letter itself.
However, his primary commitment is towards the Gentiles (vs.16-21).
In vs.22 - he states that being the primary reason for him not visiting them.

Now, there could be several reasons WHY WE ARE NOT DOING CERTAIN THINGS:
1) Maybe we don't want to do it
2) Because we just don't have the time
3) Perhaps, there is someone else who could do it
4) Or just that someone is better in doing that than us

Or in other words, WE ARE DOING CERTAIN THINGS, which we are not supposed to:
1) Because if we don't, no one else will
2) Because we just like that flare which comes with it & wanting to prove something
3) It's just to keep our self busy, so we don't have to do the 'other thing' which we don't like ...


Whatever it is, that we ARE DOING or NOT DOING ... what is the motive behind it?
Is it in OUR INTEREST, or
Is it in THE INTEREST OF THOSE CONCERNED?

That would be the bottom line for us to answer to check our ulterior motives.
God gave His best, Jesus Christ, for our sake - because He had our interest in mind.
What about us?

Pressing On Toward the Goal!

It's been a while since I posted on this blog .. but things have been super-busy, that this has taken a back seat - in fact, no seat given at all :-(

We all like to press on towards a particular goal that which we set for our self in life.
At times, we fail to achieve it (just as the entries to this blog).

Evaluating one self from time to time, will help us realize where we stand!

In Phil.3:12-16 - Paul encourages us to PRESS ON

The fact that helps us 'PRESS ON', is an understanding or a realization that we have not arrived yet!
And Paul - given his stature & his background (a learned man he was under Gamaliel & an extreme religious fanatic, as any Jews can get - cf. Acts 22:2 ff.) - and with all that he had accomplished up until now; is humble enough to say that he doesn't consider himself yet to have taken hold of it.

Now what is interesting here is what he goes on to say in vs.15 - "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things".
As per this, only those who have grown & hence matured, can have that kind of a perspective in life!

Young people always like to think that they have arrived, or show off that they know everything! Ironically, the truth is only the mature will have that perspective and be open-minded.
So, can you be mature - and not arrive yet?
I think so .. otherwise, Paul wouldn't have mentioned it here. It's an attitude of learning and wanting to learn - as there is so much more than what we know or can know about the things of God, with our finite mind.

Someone once said: "Who said maturity comes with age? At times, age just shows up by itself!"

Quote: "PARACHUTE and MIND are the same - works best, when it's OPEN"

How about us today?
Are we open to the things which God wants to show us?
Are we open to the things which people around us want to point to us?
(Never mind the ugly attitude they throw at us, every now and then, while doing this!)


The answer to living such a life is found in vs.16 - "Only let us live up to what we have already attained"

Living in the light to the extent we know the light.
As we walk in obedience to what we know, more light is shed in our lives .. which allows us to move towards what we need to take a hold off.

Let's PRESS ON - shall we?