MyTOGs,
"I don’t know.
Only God knows where the story ends for me
But I know where the story begins
It’s up to us to choose
Whether we win or lose
And I choose to win"
- Mary J. Blige (No More Drama)
So I'm probably going to place quotes in the beginning of my entry because it will usually be the "thesis", if you will, of the post.
So 2009 is here! Man, I have to take some time and reflect on 2008. A lot of stuff went down both personally (Moved to Louisville for medical school, have had many episodes in medical school, etc.) and nationally (President Elect Obama, and gas actually coming down a little bit). And I think it was a good year, a BREAKTRHOUGH YEAR (remember that word ladies and gents) but it's 2009 now. Well, I suppose I should drop a resolution, right?
I only have one resolution this year:
Don't let past distractions (drama, disappointments, successes) deter you from potential breakthroughs.
So I'm not sure if Mary J. Blige was channeling her inner Apostle Paul when she sang this song circa 2001, but I am for 2009. As I ponder my resolution and Miss Blige's lyrics. I hear Paul resonating to the churches in Phillipi (Greece), Corinth (Greece), and (supposedly) to the Hebrews directly.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. - Phil. 3:12-15
I really believe this verse is such a strong verse for practical purposes of life let alone spiritual purpsoes. As I recall 2008 after the jubilation of getting into medical school had subsided I found myself having a sense of entitlement since I have "arrived" that I could coast on some things in grad school. Now in 2009 the mentality of attaining anything has a whole new meaning... as i struggle to "press on" and learn and master many medical concepts that I have heard and studied before. Spiritually, for those who follow and live for Christ, when have we ever stopped growing and reached our final destination? You're lying if you said that you have. You may have mastered one aspect of the Christian walk (prayer, worship, integrity etc.), but still may struggle in other "hidden" weaknesses (lust, gossip, lack of faith, not trustworthy, unforgiving, etc.). Then you gotta keep pressing on, Saints!!! My high school friend, Parke, on his blog has a couple of entries titled Tweak For The Weak, more entitled for business oriented people, but I really think it implies to Christians in the fact that we alway have to be tweaking ourselves to press on further to Christ Jesus
Secondly, with Paul writing to the Corinthians he urges them to discipline their walk with God by explaining an analogy of how athletes train their bodies:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
In order to not let distractions to get the best of you, you have to discipline your mind not to give into self pity or depression when you are disappointed. I have a huge problem with that! I know I need to grow tougher skin and buckle down when things are tough. And train myself to find JOY in all situations. That's why it is good to seek God and his goodness and get into a daily habit of reaching out to Him.
Now I'm gonna tell you right now, I don't always do that.... in fact I really struggle staying disciplined in a lot of areas.... but I keep on trying regardless of the setbacks.
Finally the author of Hebrews basically sums up my resolution one verse.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. - Hebrews 12:1
Once you train your body to be mentally strong and you let go of every weight and distraction and drama that keeps you bogged down by" pressing on" towards the mark. Then you are "choosing to win" while you are running the race of life.
Honestly I needed to hear that myself. The race of life is such a marathon and if I'm any type of runner I'm a short distance runner in most aspects of my life. Full enthusiasm for a couple of minutes then fade out then burst on and fade out.... honestly I want to breakthrough in 2009. I hope you do. Till next time.
H. Jones
Rom. 8:37
"I don’t know.
Only God knows where the story ends for me
But I know where the story begins
It’s up to us to choose
Whether we win or lose
And I choose to win"
- Mary J. Blige (No More Drama)
So I'm probably going to place quotes in the beginning of my entry because it will usually be the "thesis", if you will, of the post.
So 2009 is here! Man, I have to take some time and reflect on 2008. A lot of stuff went down both personally (Moved to Louisville for medical school, have had many episodes in medical school, etc.) and nationally (President Elect Obama, and gas actually coming down a little bit). And I think it was a good year, a BREAKTRHOUGH YEAR (remember that word ladies and gents) but it's 2009 now. Well, I suppose I should drop a resolution, right?
I only have one resolution this year:
Don't let past distractions (drama, disappointments, successes) deter you from potential breakthroughs.
So I'm not sure if Mary J. Blige was channeling her inner Apostle Paul when she sang this song circa 2001, but I am for 2009. As I ponder my resolution and Miss Blige's lyrics. I hear Paul resonating to the churches in Phillipi (Greece), Corinth (Greece), and (supposedly) to the Hebrews directly.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. - Phil. 3:12-15
I really believe this verse is such a strong verse for practical purposes of life let alone spiritual purpsoes. As I recall 2008 after the jubilation of getting into medical school had subsided I found myself having a sense of entitlement since I have "arrived" that I could coast on some things in grad school. Now in 2009 the mentality of attaining anything has a whole new meaning... as i struggle to "press on" and learn and master many medical concepts that I have heard and studied before. Spiritually, for those who follow and live for Christ, when have we ever stopped growing and reached our final destination? You're lying if you said that you have. You may have mastered one aspect of the Christian walk (prayer, worship, integrity etc.), but still may struggle in other "hidden" weaknesses (lust, gossip, lack of faith, not trustworthy, unforgiving, etc.). Then you gotta keep pressing on, Saints!!! My high school friend, Parke, on his blog has a couple of entries titled Tweak For The Weak, more entitled for business oriented people, but I really think it implies to Christians in the fact that we alway have to be tweaking ourselves to press on further to Christ Jesus
Secondly, with Paul writing to the Corinthians he urges them to discipline their walk with God by explaining an analogy of how athletes train their bodies:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
In order to not let distractions to get the best of you, you have to discipline your mind not to give into self pity or depression when you are disappointed. I have a huge problem with that! I know I need to grow tougher skin and buckle down when things are tough. And train myself to find JOY in all situations. That's why it is good to seek God and his goodness and get into a daily habit of reaching out to Him.
Now I'm gonna tell you right now, I don't always do that.... in fact I really struggle staying disciplined in a lot of areas.... but I keep on trying regardless of the setbacks.
Finally the author of Hebrews basically sums up my resolution one verse.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. - Hebrews 12:1
Once you train your body to be mentally strong and you let go of every weight and distraction and drama that keeps you bogged down by" pressing on" towards the mark. Then you are "choosing to win" while you are running the race of life.
Honestly I needed to hear that myself. The race of life is such a marathon and if I'm any type of runner I'm a short distance runner in most aspects of my life. Full enthusiasm for a couple of minutes then fade out then burst on and fade out.... honestly I want to breakthrough in 2009. I hope you do. Till next time.
H. Jones
Rom. 8:37
No comments:
Post a Comment