Theme On

My mom sent me an email a few days back, talking about pursuing a “theme” as opposed to pursuing a “dream.”  That statement impressed me, and got me to thinking about the implications. I have struggled for some time with this very subject, but the whole theme vs. dream statement turned the light on for me.

I am, as a follower of Jesus Christ, instructed to “seek first the Kingdom of God.” That is a pretty big kingdom, and that statement doesn’t really give me instruction for the day-to-day living. Also, I am to do good works, which God has planned for me in advance (Eph 2:10). That is a little more specific, but I may not know which good works I should put my time and energy into, because the world is full of hurting, damaged people who should have someone help them. I know that God directs my steps, so I know that I should (and mostly do, but not always) ask for His guidance every day, and with every decision. I read a book some time ago called “Practicing His Presence.”  This book explained the impact realized (by the author) by essentially talking to God all day, throughout every activity, before every decision, basically behaving as if Jesus was physically right there with him all of the time, counseling, consoling, advising, encouraging. That actually works very well, but it is hard to maintain. I am also instructed to pray continually 1 Th 5:17, which to me sounds a lot like the concept in “Practicing His Presence.” But, in Romans 8:26 it actually states that we may not actually know what to pray for. Well, that’s a big help.

So, my dilemma has been this: I achieve goals (dreams) by pursuing them. Taking all actions and making all decisions with that dream in clear focus. Read any of the millions of motivational books and you will see that this is the key to achieving YOUR dreams. And it actually works pretty well. But, as you have probably heard before, you  may work very hard to climb the ladder but when you finally get to the top you realize it was leaned against the wrong wall. Wow! Think of pursuing your life’s dream for 20-30 years only to find out it wasn’t YOUR dream, but it was your worst nightmare. Bummer. Or, maybe, years later in Heaven God shows you what  you could have done with all that effort-if you put it into His plan. I'm stressing just writing this.

So, what do I do? Wander about, live in the moment, have no dreams, hopes or goals, pray all the time (but not knowing what to pray for) and just see how it all pans out and deal with it?

I don’t think so.

This is where “theme” comes in. I now think I’m starting to get it, it has only taken me 53 wonderful years to “get it,” because I’m slow. The real focus is “what is my theme” rather than “what is my dream.”  By living by the correct theme, I can achieve the dream that God has planned for me. I don't have to know the end game, I have to know what to do now, today.  He is the one to direct my steps, so He knows where I should walk. I just need to walk ( not run, scamper, wander, limp, nap) according to the theme He has placed in my heart.

I’ve had some very excellent “luck” in my career life, but as I look at my life honestly I see that my “luck” would not have been so “lucky” had I not stuck with my theme for living, career-wise at least. What principles guide my thoughts, beliefs, words and actions? By the way, I learned to not underestimate the power of beliefs.  I read in a book by John Eldridge recently that principles are not enough, that a daily walk/conversation with God is an absolute necessity because life has so many twists and turns that navigating without damage is impossible without a guide.

I’m not going to go into my theme in much depth here because that is not important, your theme is what is important to you, and you reading this. Here are a few key points on my theme. 
1) Honesty is essential, and must be exercised in a manner which is not inconsiderate of others, and must be exercised in a timely manner (don’t let it fester). I’ve done the former MUCH better than the latter.
2) Put others needs before my own. I’m actually pretty good at that.
3) Place relationships at a higher priority than accomplishments. I miss that one about half of the time (see I’m Honest).
4) Be nice to animals, except mosquitoes, wasps and roaches.

That is all, I’m not sharing my “theme” any further because I realize I need to spend some more time figuring out what theme has driven me all these years. I think I’ve lived my theme as it relates to career much more so than as it relates to relationships.

The photo above is from my time at the lake today. The dog “photo-bombed” the picture I was taking to show my friend what they missed by not coming out with me today. Dogs are such fun. This one is named Evander. His owner tied a bottle to his collar, so he (Evander) spent much of the day picking up “another” bottle out of the water and placing it on the beach where it belonged.

In the words from the song by Aerosmith, Theme On.

True Love, Gifts

Some time ago I took one of those tests designed to determine what character you would be in a movie. The movie was "The Princess Bride" and my match was Westley (played by Cary Elwes). I thought, "what, are you kidding? I'm probably more like the goofy and annoying Vizzini "(played by Wallace Shawn). Inconceivable!

But then I thought back on the test questions and scenes in the movie and realized that Westley's motivation for everything was, True Love. Of course the primary focus was his love for Buttercup (the Princess Bride), but if you pay attention you will notice that he has a love even for his adversaries. For example, he is engaged in a fight to the death with Fezzik (played by the late Andre the Giant). During the course of the fight he does not spew out words of hatred and blood lust, he just calmly approaches the situation as another challenge to be confronted. He overcomes Fezzik without even injuring him, and they later become friends.

When I think about it honestly, my primary motivation actually is True Love. I don't always practice it perfectly, and I don't even apply to myself as well as I do with others, but that does seem to be at the core of most of what I do. As I have matured (gotten old) I seem to practice it better.
I have had many people ask me how I put up with so many difficult situations and people without lashing out in anger or retaliation. Many have stated that my ability to remain calm under fire is unbelievable. Some have said I'm too calm, but the outcome indicates that they were incorrect. The source of this ability is my True Love to serve God by helping people, and the Holy Spirit provides me with that gift.

You have probably heard that the term "love" has many meanings and is often mis-used. I can say that I "love" avocados, grilled fish, cruising at 70 mph across the water on a jet ski. But what I'm really saying is that those things make ME feel good. That is not True Love. I can even say that I "love" a certain woman, when "in love" may be the more accurate phrase because what I'm really saying is being with her makes ME feel good. When I develop True Love for a woman then I serve and help her without requiring reciprocation. I won't get into long-term relationships here, but for one to work, each must have True Love for each other.

I believe that True Love is the desire to minister to God's creations. Obviously the primary ministry is to people, needy people, hurting people, and people who just need support to carry a burden.  Another form of ministry would be to animals, rehabilitating them, saving them from danger, etc. I think True Love involves ministering (helping) when the opportunity presents itself.



True Love does not always have to be an intimate relationship between two people, or specific help to a hurting person or animal, it is often between friends and groups of friends. Just the sharing of life experiences and being in each others company has a beneficial, ministering effect.




 
From the time I was a very young child I had a "love" for turtles. One of the first words I learned was "tuttle." I always stop and move turtles off the road. I sometimes keep them for awhile, take good care of them, then release them in a safe place.Let's be honest, though turtles are interesting creatures they really aren't affectionate, they're kind of cold and self-absorbed. They have tiny brains, they don't coming running to meet me at the door when I come home. They don't like to cuddle or be held.The only time they come to me is when I'm holding a wriggling worm out for them to eat, then they walk away with it. So, my love for turtles is simply to take care of them, expecting nothing in return. They don't make ME feel good. I just help them as one of God's creations.

True Love involving people is difficult because it often results in rejection, and it can be taken advantage of (abused). I'm reading a book, and this statement hit home with me:
"We are tested through rejection and misunderstanding so that we can overcome rejection. If we are to accomplish the purposes of God, we must come to the level of maturity where "the love of Christ controls us" (II Corinthians 5:14)." So, the love of Christ, rather than the love of making ourselves feel good is what controls us, and experiencing and overcoming rejection makes us better at that, hmmm.

Many people (me included) hold back on practicing True Love, because it can result in pain. There is a line from a song "I'm going to love you like I've never been hurt before, I'm going to love you like I'm indestructible." When I think about this now, it brings new meaning to 1 John 4:18: "there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear."

In the next post I will cover gifts, and how those are given to each of us so we can demonstrate True Love to others.

Below are photos of Rowdy, the box turtle I just released, and PD (Porch Dog) who always comes to visit me at my lake house.