POWER MADE PERFECT
MOST OF THE TIME I like to think about my strengths, not my weaknesses. Why not concentrate on the best part of me?
OF COURSE, when I do that, I may forget that I need to grow. How motivated am I to improve what I feel I’m already pretty good at?
THINKING OF MYSELF in only the best of terms won’t win me any points with friends either. Who wants to hear me brag? Most of them would rather I appreciate THEM instead of going on and on about myself.
ACTUALLY, MOST OF US connect in our mutual weaknesses. In fact more often than not, we compete when we have strengths in common.
WORST OF ALL, concentrating on my strengths makes me think I am self-sufficient. It puts me in danger of taking credit for what God has done—or of thinking I don’t need God’s help. Either of these can’t please Him.
THE OTHER DAY I browsed through the latest best-selling craze, THE SECRET. The author talked about how we were all magnets drawing to ourselves what we concentrate on. It’s an old idea. James Allen talked about it in AS A MAN THINKETH. He was right. Starting out the day with praise and a request for help gets my thinking on the right path, and that sort of thinking leads me where I need to go. My glass stays half full all day long.
BUT THE SECRET leads the reader to believe that he or she is entirely in charge of his or her own life. The reader needs to concentrate on his strengths and ignore his weaknesses. Just place the order, the author encourages, and the Universe will deliver. A new car. A yacht. A trip around the world. Santa Claus at his best. Never once does the author take into consideration what God may have planned.
IT’S AN ATTRACTIVE PHILOSOPHY—especially for those like me dealing with life-threatening diseases. All I need to do is keep the “good thought” and all will be well. The author even quotes the New Testament (although very briefly and very selectively) to back up her theory.
AND IF THE UNIVERSE DOESN’T DELIVER, why the onus is on me. I’m too doubtful or I’m concentrating on what I don’t want. Or I’m concentrating on my weaknesses. No matter the result I get, it’s a win-win for the author.
I’M NOT READY TO BUY. I know Who the Master of my universe is, and it isn’t me.
PAUL WAS A MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD the true nature of weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 he said, “. . . power is made perfect in weakness.” Those weaknesses he boasts of made a space for Christ to dwell, and I like that. I’m more than ready to make room, and if weaknesses are the way to do that, I’ve got plenty of space available.
BUT, WHILE PAUL ACKNOWLEDGED his shortcomings, he didn’t concentrate on them. Quite the contrary. A thorough reading of Acts shows a man who literally dusts himself off (after being beaten and stoned) and continues on. Setbacks only increased his determination. And I have to think THAT pleases God.
I MAY NOT BELIEVE IN PLACING AN ORDER, but I do believe in dusting myself off. God will help me if I just get up.
You’re blessed. Be a blessing!
OF COURSE, when I do that, I may forget that I need to grow. How motivated am I to improve what I feel I’m already pretty good at?
THINKING OF MYSELF in only the best of terms won’t win me any points with friends either. Who wants to hear me brag? Most of them would rather I appreciate THEM instead of going on and on about myself.
ACTUALLY, MOST OF US connect in our mutual weaknesses. In fact more often than not, we compete when we have strengths in common.
WORST OF ALL, concentrating on my strengths makes me think I am self-sufficient. It puts me in danger of taking credit for what God has done—or of thinking I don’t need God’s help. Either of these can’t please Him.
THE OTHER DAY I browsed through the latest best-selling craze, THE SECRET. The author talked about how we were all magnets drawing to ourselves what we concentrate on. It’s an old idea. James Allen talked about it in AS A MAN THINKETH. He was right. Starting out the day with praise and a request for help gets my thinking on the right path, and that sort of thinking leads me where I need to go. My glass stays half full all day long.
BUT THE SECRET leads the reader to believe that he or she is entirely in charge of his or her own life. The reader needs to concentrate on his strengths and ignore his weaknesses. Just place the order, the author encourages, and the Universe will deliver. A new car. A yacht. A trip around the world. Santa Claus at his best. Never once does the author take into consideration what God may have planned.
IT’S AN ATTRACTIVE PHILOSOPHY—especially for those like me dealing with life-threatening diseases. All I need to do is keep the “good thought” and all will be well. The author even quotes the New Testament (although very briefly and very selectively) to back up her theory.
AND IF THE UNIVERSE DOESN’T DELIVER, why the onus is on me. I’m too doubtful or I’m concentrating on what I don’t want. Or I’m concentrating on my weaknesses. No matter the result I get, it’s a win-win for the author.
I’M NOT READY TO BUY. I know Who the Master of my universe is, and it isn’t me.
PAUL WAS A MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD the true nature of weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 he said, “. . . power is made perfect in weakness.” Those weaknesses he boasts of made a space for Christ to dwell, and I like that. I’m more than ready to make room, and if weaknesses are the way to do that, I’ve got plenty of space available.
BUT, WHILE PAUL ACKNOWLEDGED his shortcomings, he didn’t concentrate on them. Quite the contrary. A thorough reading of Acts shows a man who literally dusts himself off (after being beaten and stoned) and continues on. Setbacks only increased his determination. And I have to think THAT pleases God.
I MAY NOT BELIEVE IN PLACING AN ORDER, but I do believe in dusting myself off. God will help me if I just get up.
You’re blessed. Be a blessing!
Labels: dusting off, placing an order, power, shortcomings, THE SECRET, weakness
posted by Chronic Hope at 6:16 PM
1 Comments:
Would you agree that reductionists are always wrong? At least to some degree? We experience what we notice most... and if blessings, strengths and kindness are what we notice... well that makes a pretty good life, doesn't it. And when we want help dusting off, getting up, being good we need to pretty open to the "form" in which that help is delivered. You've delivered for me plenty of times.
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