I was having a laugh at my sister’s text message today. She was saying how proud we Drydens are of being so humble! My sister is funny and that humour has been a source of much comfort and humour in our time growing up and when things aren’t always working out, it’s brilliant to have her around for her wisdom and that cracking wit.
There’s no reason why I mention it although there is a link to the topic of today’s blog entry. I thought I’d just mention it in passing as a tribute to my sister who’s ace.
Something else I’ve noted of late is that not all my comments and observations have been that constructive or positive. In fact I enjoy tweeting, I think Twitter at its best is a tremendous resource for bite-size insights and also commenting on things as they go by. I enjoy tweeting when I can, preferably about when I blog or a thought as it occurs to me. I noticed though, that some of me tweets were rather negative. Now I acknowledge I can be hyper-critical at times and methods of communication like sarcasm have never been too far from my way of saying something. I would, however, have thought of myself usually as a fairly positive person. So reflecting on these things convicted me.
I don’t endorse a Christianity that says that everything’s alright and if it doesn’t appear alright, it will eventually with a bright happy-clappy approach to everything. That’s not real Christian living and not a great expression of Christ-like joy. In fact it’s an escapist delusion that makes us not deal with what Jesus does in our lives to help us face real things like disappointment, confusion, fear, and all that goes along with day-to-day living.
I do endorse Christianity that doesn’t get sucked up in the cynical mind-set that already limits what can happen in our lifetime, It only looks negative and when good things are happening has a defeatist mentality waiting for the next bad thing to happen. That kind of constructive joyful mentality takes an active effort. An effort I was being sloppy on of late.
The grateful mentality that I enjoy referring to at times, however, helps me to get a grip. Yeah the news ain’t great always great, the television is not always putting across the best things for the soul, the music scene may reflect some of the less attractive aspects of our world and as for movies … Then you look at your bank account and key relationships with their flaws and it can be easy to get a bit down. Then there is that grateful mentality. It sends us back to the Philippians 4:4, 8 deal that is at the heart of the song below. (Thanks to Joe Patterson for the heads up, brilliant song!)
It is wonderful to be known by Christ and be able to follow Him. It is wonderful to witness the many blessings He puts my way to help me to focus on Him. It is wonderful to know there is an assurance in a very uncertain world. It will by God’s grace help me not to be so negative as long as I think on those things.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 