I don\u2019t care for the term \u201cdefining moment.\u201d The idea behind that term is that we are defined by what we would do if faced with a dramatic situation.\u00a0 Would I jump in front of a speeding car in order to push a child out of its path?\u00a0 Would I steal a large sum of money if no one would ever find out?<\/p>\n
The problem is that the decisions we make under pressure don\u2019t really show who we are. When we are under pressure, all kinds of unconscious things kick in \u2013 our instinct for self preservation is one.\u00a0 So are fear and adrenalin.\u00a0 So our singular good deeds don\u2019t define us, nor do our momentary mistakes.\u00a0 What truly defines us is what we do every day.\u00a0 We are the sum of the small choices that we make regularly.<\/p>\n
For Christians, we have just started the season of Lent. Typically during Lent people give up something that they do on a daily basis.\u00a0 Very often they give up a bad habit, like eating too much chocolate.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never given up something for Lent, but this year I\u2019ve decided to do so.\u00a0 I am giving up swearing.<\/p>\n
Truthfully, I don\u2019t use foul language all that often. It isn\u2019t part of how I normally express myself.\u00a0 My swearing habit typically rears its ugly head when I\u2019m mad.\u00a0 Of course, using bad language isn\u2019t the worst habit.\u00a0 I\u2019m not hurting myself or others, like one does with smoking.\u00a0 But it isn\u2019t a good habit either.\u00a0 And like all habits, it becomes part of who you are.\u00a0 That means that my swearing habit makes me an occasionally uncouth individual.\u00a0 That isn\u2019t how I would like to be described in my obituary.<\/p>\n
The unavoidable truth is that we are our habits. We are the choices that we make every day.\u00a0 If I leave my belongings everywhere or fail to make my bed, I am a slob.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t do things for other people on a daily basis, I am selfish.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t clean up after myself, I am inconsiderate.\u00a0 And if I swear, I am uncouth.<\/p>\n
The same holds true for our spiritual life. We are not Christians because we go to church on Sunday.\u00a0 What we do for one hour a week is de minimis compared to the other 167 hours of the week.\u00a0 So if we want to know who we are spiritually, then the questions we should ask ourselves are these: \u00a0What am I doing during the rest of the week?\u00a0 Am I keeping my relationship with God my top priority through prayer, reading or meditation?\u00a0 Am I treating others with love and patience? \u00a0Do my words build others up or do they tear them down?\u00a0 Do I consciously think about ways that I can assist people who cross my path and need my help?<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t have one big defining moment in life. Instead, we have small defining moments \u2013 constantly.\u00a0 Every little choice we make, from what we eat for breakfast, to how we speak to our spouse, to how we care for our children, defines who we are.\u00a0 This week, make a point of pausing to consider your choices.\u00a0 Choose to be an amazing spouse, parent or friend.\u00a0 Choose to be helpful.\u00a0 Choose to be a cheerleader to someone who needs encouragement.\u00a0 Choose to be patient with someone who is grouchy.\u00a0 This week, let God work through you to bless others.\u00a0 Let your choices this week define to the world who you are \u2013 a child of God.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFinally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. \u00a0<\/sup>Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.\u201d I don\u2019t care for the term \u201cdefining moment.\u201d The idea behind that term is that we are defined by what we would do if faced with a dramatic situation.\u00a0 Would I jump in front of a speeding car in order to push a child out of its path?\u00a0 Would I steal a large sum of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nPhilippians 4:8-9<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"