Ever since I got my own website, well even before that, ever since I started speaking in front of groups of people I have found that my mind is always in a constant desire for something new. I love reading books where it takes a new perspective on a new verse or listening to a sermon that shows me a new illustration for an easier look at something. I love to hear background knowledge of something I already know about to enlighten my knowledge of that even further. I love it when I hear something and say “MMMmmm” or “Oh, that’s good, I like that.” I think this love for clever ideas began with C.S. Lewis’ book Mere Christianity and ever since I look for them everywhere.
So I thought this blog would be a cool place to share the ideas that I have found or came up with to give you one of those “OHHHHHH” moments. It’s interesting also because an idea that would be shared two years ago that I would shrug off would sometimes today produce a plethora of excitement in my mind. Maybe it was because of it speaking to a present situation in my life or maybe it was because I didn’t even understand it before. I think I finally figured out why these ‘ideas’ make me so excited.
I love to learn, because typically I try to live what I’m learning and it’s applicable. I hate to learn things that I am unable to or unaware how to apply them to my life to make me more like Christ or show me where I’m supposed to fit into the picture. I have a hard time in English class reading old novels, epics and poetry and I have a hard time reading my text book of Western Civilization. I actually tried to read through my text book once, and if I went back through it now everything that is underlined is stuff that I thought would be a good sermon illustration or a great parallel to some spiritual issue. I’m not sure if I’m just self centered and everything has to revolve around me or if there is something beyond that.
I find lately, I’m just out of ideas, out of interesting “ohhhh” moments to share with everyone. I don’t want to scrounge at the boring parts of my life trying to come up with something spectacular for everyone to read. Lately I just feel like God has been telling me to go with what I’ve got. I don’t need any amazing revelation or new idea or new strategies. I don’t need a new remedy or an “ohhhh” moment. I’m being taught slowly and painfully that an abundance of good ideas or smart concepts isn’t the point of my Christian life. The point is to become like Christ. The point is my ideas won’t help. The point is that everything that can help has already been done on the cross. The point is that’s not my clever idea, that’s the only thing and the only idea that will get any of us anywhere. The point is that I am probably trying to steal the credit and make this my idea or something so I’ll stop writing so the credit can only go to Him.
Maybe so, but God could be using your insights to help others know him better. Why not go ahead and share your thoughts – but give God the glory?
It’s not that I will stop blogging or stop sharing my ideas. I just never want my ideas to get in the way of the one that gave them to me, and the originator of anything creative at all. The purpose of the blog was sharing my frustrations with my desire constantly for new ideas instead of being content with seeking him and when the ideas come then be happy for that. Instead of seeking ideas, seek the giver of ideas.