Preconceived Notions

We need to beware of the way we think.
The way we perceive things must be come suspect.
We must understand that our own expectations and desires
color how we view things around us
as well as things to come.

As spiritual people we've been introduced to the reality
that what will come has a significance for us.
The future has been predetermined.
Christ will come.
Good triumphs over evil.

But on the way there our thoughts and hearts are exposed.
Our motives purified.
The fire burns.
Our outlook redeemed.
Redeemed from an idolatrous way of looking at things.
Even things to come.
Even things that have been promised.

Called to ministry, as a young Christian,
I yearned for ministry.I longed to be used.
God's plan was to use me.
I was given glimpses.

But my focus began to see 'ministry'
as the answer to all my problems.
I thought that as I entered more fully into ministry
I would be more spiritual-feel more of a sense of responsibility
towards spiritual things. Be what God wanted me to be.

As I approached the few opportunities to minister
that did come I got 'real spiritual'.
I abstained from fleshly things like never before.
And friends I talked to did the same thing.

And then it was like God was saying,
'You do all this spiritual stuff in preparation
to appearing before man, why not do the same
when the only one to appear before is me
and that which I call you to do daily?

'I began to see the idolatry of my own heart
and for me what had become the ' idolatry of ministry'.

That began a liberating journey
of learning to appear before God and to minister unto him.
Nothing else matters.
Nothing else compares.

That which seems so confining
becomes a large place indeed.
Priorities are properly arranged.

My own understanding and viewpoint is dealt with
as my expectation is from him
who continually shares from his riches in glory-

what my eye has not seen

nor my ear heard

nor has ever before entered into my heart.

A life of preconceived ideas is shattered
as my heart becomes a childlike one
of beholding and expectant wonder.