All things in Order

A few days ago I wrote about Adrian Warnock's challenge, here.
Here's my attempt at his challenge:

All Things in Order

Do you remember as a child, ever having the attitude (or even saying it) of “you’re not the boss of me!”? Many children, when feeling bossed around or being told what to do, by someone they don’t view as an authority over them, take this attitude. But who do they consider “the boss of me”? Surely their parents or maybe a teacher or a sports team coach. Children can almost always tell you who the authorities are, in their lives – that is – who are those that have the right to tell them what to do, or how to do it, those who set the rules, and make allowances for certain things in the child’s life.

In our relationship with our Heavenly Father, we as His children, should certainly also be able to tell not only who, but how He is the authority in our lives. While children may often have a rebellious or contensious attitude toward those who they do not believe to be in authority over them, Isaiah 66:2 gives us a clear picture of the right attitude to have, when it comes to God being the authority in our lives.

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

This verse speaks loud and clear to me that I must see myself as broken and desperately in need of Him, humbled before Him, revering His very word – in all spiritual and practical ways, acknowledging that He is my ultimate authority.

While this may be easy to say, or type, sadly, it doesn’t always play it self out day to day. There will be times when I give in to a moment of anger, or envy, and entertain feelings of sinfulness, that in essence is saying to my Heavenly Father “you’re not the boss of me” like a child rebelling. With such an attitude I’m declaring (if even only inwardly) that my feelings or my thoughts, are more important than anything else, and that they are my authority. When I worry, or become anxious over an issue, or when I might begin to think too highly of myself, I have stepped out of submission to my Heavenly Father. This is a grievous thing, because He is my authority, and as His child, He will burden my heart with my attitude.

This very thing is laid out step by step in Philippians 2:3-10. According to this passage it is critical that as believers we’re to walk away from such self-centeredness and vanity, and with humility and a servant’s heart, seek the best for others, instead of ourselves.
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This is where this technically ends. I really wanted to take on each verse or passage seperately to weave a connecting thread and show from Scripture how all of these words point out the critical issue of God's authority, and what is expected of us, as His people. This was not to be the case, for the time limits Adrian gave for the challenge.

I so wish sometimes that I had more time to write, to study, to pray, to read His word. I just don’t have the time I would like to have, to do the things I so long to do. Not only do I not have the time, most of the time, when I do get the time, I find myself so easily distracted by another study, or another task that needs attention.

I guess that’s just the way it is for me. With 1 husband, 5 kids at home, and a full time summer-project schedule for the summer (household projects, school prep-projects, yard & garden projects, etc.), I consistantly find myself so busy, that the luxury of "time" really isn't something I have.

As I read through the other verses that Adrian asked us to use to paint this picture of authority and submission, I'm just so struck with a common theme.

The verses are Is 66:2, Phil 2:3-10, Mt 23:11-12, 1 Cor 11:3, Col 3:18-24, 1 Tim2:11-14, Titus 2:3-4, 2 Tim 1:5, Acts 18:26, Gen 1:27, Gen 2:18, 20-21, 23, 3:1, 9, 16, 17

Even though I was not able to finish this challenge the way I wanted to, the common theme among all these verses, for me, can be summed up in 1 word for me.

DESIRE

This is what I desire my life to be like - in every area. I want to be humble and contrite in spirit, a servant, obedient, submissive, a teacher of good things, with sincerity of faith. I have many roles to juggle. Most women do. Mother, wife, sister, friend, teacher, daughter, blogger, writer, etc. The most important role I have, is a child of the most High God. It often seems like just when I think I'm all that & a bag of "I have no issues with authority or submission" God ordains an issue right into the front door to show me that I still have pride issues, and I still mess up. How I conduct myself as a child of God, where my spiritual and Biblical maturity level is there, will (every time) determine how I conduct myself in every other role. When I have been mindful of this, as I go through my day, I know it's been a good day, and I am blessed. When I have neglected this, it reveals itself in all other areas, from my patience level with the kids, to my writing online, to how I talk (or listen) to Kev when he comes home from work.

I desire to be the Christian defined in the verses that Adrian gave us, to paint this picture of authority and submission. This is my hope, and this is my assurance (especially when I fall so short):

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

My prayer is that I be much more mindful of this, each day.

Thank you for the challenge Adrian, this was a good study, and a great reminder.

SOLI DEO GLORIA,
Carla
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Others who took Adrian’s challenge
(who clearly had more time than I did, to put their thoughts out there):

• Ron
• Barbara
• Ilona
• Paul and Becky Shafer
• Jeannine
• Mark
• Lexie