15. Self Improvement
7:00 am, Sun, 5 May
This is unusual for me. To be sitting in front of my computer at 7am on a Sunday morning. I normally lie in bed until at least 8am. But I've resolved to change, to be the person God wants me to be. So I've compiled a list of things I must try to do to enable me to become a better person.
Malo's Spiritual Renewal List
1. Pray at least twice a day.
2. Read my Bible everyday (and make sure I read the whole thing before the end of the year).
3. Give to the poor at least once a week (don’t need to necessarily give them a lift).
4. Participate in some community outreach at least once a month (or at least give money towards these causes).
5. Share the gospel with one new person a week (this one might start once I know my Bible better - but thought it is the right thing to include in this list).
So, it's just five, but I think it's a pretty tough five I've set myself. I will be really pleased (and maybe a little amazed) if I can achieve this. But I'm going to give it my best effort.
Malo's Spiritual Renewal List
1. Pray at least twice a day.
2. Read my Bible everyday (and make sure I read the whole thing before the end of the year).
3. Give to the poor at least once a week (don’t need to necessarily give them a lift).
4. Participate in some community outreach at least once a month (or at least give money towards these causes).
5. Share the gospel with one new person a week (this one might start once I know my Bible better - but thought it is the right thing to include in this list).
So, it's just five, but I think it's a pretty tough five I've set myself. I will be really pleased (and maybe a little amazed) if I can achieve this. But I'm going to give it my best effort.
8:46 am, Sun, 5 May
"Malo," Dana says walking into the study where I am on the computer. "With everything that has happened recently, your mom getting sick, and now thankfully recovering, us refocusing our lives, me attending the photography course…Well it has got me thinking..."
When Dana starts like that I know this is not just a whimsical thought but something she has been pondering for a long time.
“Yes?” I say, “what has it got you thinking about?”
“Well, I'd like to open a dance studio. Not just a normal one, but one that can be used to help people with problems find an outlet and allow them to use dance as a form of expression. It's what I term therapeutic dance."
"And?" I ask, knowing there must be more.
"And, I've found a place that I think would be perfect...” she hesitates... “that is if you like the idea."
"Of course I love the idea,” I reply, “You've been dreaming of getting back into dance for ages now. So, where's the place?"
"Not far from here," she says, "but I'd rather show you than tell you."
"OK, sounds good, so then what's keeping us?” I ask. “Let's go check it out today.”
Dana smiles, lighting up her face and my day. "Thanks Malo. How about we go and see it straight after church."
"Um, yeah," I reply, "straight after church."
I'd forgotten about that. I do go to church but it has not been that regular over the past couple of years. What with all the busyness of life, trying to build my business, make a success of life for us...What am I thinking! These are the pathetic things that got me into this situation.
Another one for my list...
6. Go to church every week.
When Dana starts like that I know this is not just a whimsical thought but something she has been pondering for a long time.
“Yes?” I say, “what has it got you thinking about?”
“Well, I'd like to open a dance studio. Not just a normal one, but one that can be used to help people with problems find an outlet and allow them to use dance as a form of expression. It's what I term therapeutic dance."
"And?" I ask, knowing there must be more.
"And, I've found a place that I think would be perfect...” she hesitates... “that is if you like the idea."
"Of course I love the idea,” I reply, “You've been dreaming of getting back into dance for ages now. So, where's the place?"
"Not far from here," she says, "but I'd rather show you than tell you."
"OK, sounds good, so then what's keeping us?” I ask. “Let's go check it out today.”
Dana smiles, lighting up her face and my day. "Thanks Malo. How about we go and see it straight after church."
"Um, yeah," I reply, "straight after church."
I'd forgotten about that. I do go to church but it has not been that regular over the past couple of years. What with all the busyness of life, trying to build my business, make a success of life for us...What am I thinking! These are the pathetic things that got me into this situation.
Another one for my list...
6. Go to church every week.
10:35 am, Sun, 5 May
I find I am more attentive than I used to be as I listen to the Sunday morning message. Maybe I'm more in tune with God or something.
The message is not particularly uplifting, but I suppose we need to be reminded of our sinful state. I sure do.
"Sin is abhorrent to God," the pastor says. "God cannot look upon evil nor will he allow evil to abide in his presence. What does this mean?" he asks. "It means we must put away all sinfulness from our lives. No adultery. No murder. No stealing." A ripple of "Amen's" goes around the congregation.
"I can see some of you nodding. ‘Amen’ you are saying. Well before you get too comfortable...No covetousness, no gluttony, no envy, no anger, no idolatry. This is all from Galatians 5. This is not my list. This is God's list. God's flesh list. Do you hear what he says? Are you listening? Do you want your neighbor’s car or house or job? That's covetousness. On the flesh list. Do you eat without self control? And we all know that is a problem in our country. Well that's on the flesh list. Do you hate people or hold grudges against them? Well that's on the flesh list. Do you spend lots of time and money on clothes or sport or TV? That’s on the flesh list.” He pauses as he wipes his brow. It feels hot in here.
“Who do you worship?” he continues. “You are saying God, aren’t you? Well just follow the trail of where you place your time, money and energy. See where it leads. It will lead you to the throne of what you worship. That is idolatry. That's on the flesh list. There are two lists. A flesh list and a Spirit list. Which list did you tick off last week?
We are just like Paul, the great apostle of old. He knew about these lists. He spent a lifetime living the flesh list before he met Jesus. And even then he writes in Romans 7:18 - "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing. For the good that I would do, I don't, but the evil which I don't want to do, that I do." He then concludes by saying in verse 24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body on this death?"
That is exactly what we are "wretched people". We are abominable flesh in God's pure sight."
I notice that everyone has slumped down a little in their seats as we all feel the weight of this guilt. However he continues, "But brothers and sisters, all is not lost. God does love us. God does want us in his family. He does forgive us. It's up to us if we want to accept his grace and love. For if we do, then we must do our part. We must "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" as Paul says in Philippians 2:12. We must resolve to try harder, with every ounce of our being to serve our awesome God. For surely then he will be pleased to extend his grace and love to us. Surely then we will be his children. Surely then we will be saved. Surely then we will live the Spirit list." With that he promptly sits down to an enthusiastic ‘amen’ from the congregation.
The message is not particularly uplifting, but I suppose we need to be reminded of our sinful state. I sure do.
"Sin is abhorrent to God," the pastor says. "God cannot look upon evil nor will he allow evil to abide in his presence. What does this mean?" he asks. "It means we must put away all sinfulness from our lives. No adultery. No murder. No stealing." A ripple of "Amen's" goes around the congregation.
"I can see some of you nodding. ‘Amen’ you are saying. Well before you get too comfortable...No covetousness, no gluttony, no envy, no anger, no idolatry. This is all from Galatians 5. This is not my list. This is God's list. God's flesh list. Do you hear what he says? Are you listening? Do you want your neighbor’s car or house or job? That's covetousness. On the flesh list. Do you eat without self control? And we all know that is a problem in our country. Well that's on the flesh list. Do you hate people or hold grudges against them? Well that's on the flesh list. Do you spend lots of time and money on clothes or sport or TV? That’s on the flesh list.” He pauses as he wipes his brow. It feels hot in here.
“Who do you worship?” he continues. “You are saying God, aren’t you? Well just follow the trail of where you place your time, money and energy. See where it leads. It will lead you to the throne of what you worship. That is idolatry. That's on the flesh list. There are two lists. A flesh list and a Spirit list. Which list did you tick off last week?
We are just like Paul, the great apostle of old. He knew about these lists. He spent a lifetime living the flesh list before he met Jesus. And even then he writes in Romans 7:18 - "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing. For the good that I would do, I don't, but the evil which I don't want to do, that I do." He then concludes by saying in verse 24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body on this death?"
That is exactly what we are "wretched people". We are abominable flesh in God's pure sight."
I notice that everyone has slumped down a little in their seats as we all feel the weight of this guilt. However he continues, "But brothers and sisters, all is not lost. God does love us. God does want us in his family. He does forgive us. It's up to us if we want to accept his grace and love. For if we do, then we must do our part. We must "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" as Paul says in Philippians 2:12. We must resolve to try harder, with every ounce of our being to serve our awesome God. For surely then he will be pleased to extend his grace and love to us. Surely then we will be his children. Surely then we will be saved. Surely then we will live the Spirit list." With that he promptly sits down to an enthusiastic ‘amen’ from the congregation.
12:07 pm, Sun, 5 May
As we are leaving I ask Dana how she enjoyed the sermon because it sure helped remind me of how far I have to still go on this journey. "I love his passion and obvious love of God. It's just a pity," she says, "that he left out the best part of Romans chapter 7."
"Which is what?" I ask when she does not say any more.
"Which is Romans chapter 8!"
I stare at her bewildered. "I don't get it," I say. "What do you mean?"
"There is an unfortunate chapter division halfway through Paul's reasoning. It's like reading a book, and then stopping just prior to the conclusion. Paul does not live in Romans 7 he lives in Romans 8. Paul is not stuck in the problems of chapter 7 he is rejoicing in the solution of chapter 8. That's why it's a pity he missed the climax."
"Why, what's the climax?" I ask now intrigued as to what I've missed.
"Aah, Dana says, "it's just awesome, but it's even more awesome when you see it yourself."
"Come on Dana," I plead, "tell me what Romans 8 says."
"No, I promise you, the gift of reading it yourself is something I won't take away from you," she says smiling, as we get into the car. “When you get home, open your Bible and read the best part of Romans 7...Romans 8:1 and 2…and beyond.”
"Which is what?" I ask when she does not say any more.
"Which is Romans chapter 8!"
I stare at her bewildered. "I don't get it," I say. "What do you mean?"
"There is an unfortunate chapter division halfway through Paul's reasoning. It's like reading a book, and then stopping just prior to the conclusion. Paul does not live in Romans 7 he lives in Romans 8. Paul is not stuck in the problems of chapter 7 he is rejoicing in the solution of chapter 8. That's why it's a pity he missed the climax."
"Why, what's the climax?" I ask now intrigued as to what I've missed.
"Aah, Dana says, "it's just awesome, but it's even more awesome when you see it yourself."
"Come on Dana," I plead, "tell me what Romans 8 says."
"No, I promise you, the gift of reading it yourself is something I won't take away from you," she says smiling, as we get into the car. “When you get home, open your Bible and read the best part of Romans 7...Romans 8:1 and 2…and beyond.”