June 30 - Philippians 2:1-2

if you have any encouragement

from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love,

if any common sharing in the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion,

then make my joy complete by being

like-minded, having the same love,

being one in spirit and of one mind.

Philippians 2:1-2

NIV

 

Paul Hudson’s seventh question …

 

7.   Can you promise to put us ahead of everything else?

 

“Life has a lot to offer. And if you’re anything like me,” says Mr. Hudson, “you have a very large appetite. We want everything life has to offer, and then some.”

 

The question is … Do you want accomplishments, respect, and attention? Do you want adventures? Do you want material things? Or do you want “us”?

 

You can’t break it down 20%-20%-20%-40% (or some such formula … even with marriage ranking highest.) It’s all or nothing. It’s all “us”; or it’s all about “you.” (And the secret to life is that it’s not about you.)

 

Paul Hudson says, “The beauty of marriage is that it can be used as a base to build the rest of your life on. Your partner should be just that: your partner. Your relationship is the most important thing in your life because it’s what makes the rest of your life possible.”

 

Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait!!! Paul Hudson was almost profound. Let me add two words: Your relationship [with God] is the most important thing in your life because it’s what makes the rest of your life possible.”

 

Now, why don’t you add seven more words: Your relationship [with God and shared with your partner, in Christ] is the most important thing in your life because it’s what makes the rest of your life possible.”

 

Question: Even though I said that you shouldn’t do life this way, if you’re honest, how is your heart filling in these percentages:

 

·         Do you want accomplishments, respect, and attention? __%

·         Do you want adventures? __%

·         Do you want material things? __%

·         Or do you want “us”? __%

 

How might “us” (you, your spouse, and God) be the solution to greater accomplishments, richer respect, grander adventure, and the enjoyment of whatever material things that you have?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who spells “best for me”

with a “U” and an “S”