Balance. Priorities. The law (in Christian/biblical terms).... These are all ideas and topics that have prompted this post and these thoughts from me today. Forgive me for rambling and throwing random thoughts out. This is not a good sample of my writing skills. :-)
As a seminary student working on a masters degree, I run across a lot of things in life (both in questions from others and in class assignments) that make me think about what priorities I have in life, what priorities I should have in life, and what priorities the Church should have. Along the same lines, what priorities should our culture and country and government have? I'm not sure there is a set answer. For every situation, priorities will change. Positions and directions will change, which defines what gets prioritized. And that's OK. It's fine. That's how life works. BUT... you have to know how to prioritize. I'm still learning. I don't think I'll ever be near perfecting it.
For a class I'm taking this semester at Golden Gate, I had to read In Search of Balance. In the paper I wrote on this book, I noted that I thought I'd learn some amazing new insights. I did not learn anything new and amazing. The book is entirely practical, and I already implement most of the things the author talks about. There is no set recipe or "fix-all" for everyone. It's a process. Life's a process.
A not-so-fun and much talked about topic in Christian circles and definitely in seminary is (dun dun dun) THE LAW. Just some random thoughts I'm going to throw out on this topic: don't make it your priority. "If keeping the law is the basis of relationship, then you have no relationship. You will violate the law." My New Testament professor, Dr. Martin, said this in class this morning as we discussed the law, keeping the law, and that sort of thing. The kind of law-keeping we discussed in class caused arguments, even in Bible times, that got people killed. (Stephen was stoned for things along these lines.) The law condemns everyone, which is why a relationship with Christ is important. Christ overcomes the cranky old law. (Galatians 3:23-29) Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing. (duh) My lesson from this is to not prioritize arguments that don't matter. Following a set of rules isn't what "saves" you or strengthens your relationship to Christ. While there are obviously things you should and shouldn't do, there is no checklist. I'm tired of people acting like they are better and checking off their list.
Soap box time. Along these lines, a blog post has surfaced about the "Southern Baptist" stance on alcohol changing. First of all, I've heard several seminarians make comments about the stance changing. Well, don't get all excited. One comment, by one person, was made about FUTURE moves to take "rules and suggestions" out of recommendations. This hasn't happened yet. (Know the processes, people. Don't get caught in sounding ignorant because you're excited about not being under contract to not drink alcohol.) Also, every Southern Baptist church and entity is autonomous and can (and will) make its own decisions. Then again, you are your own person and have to make your own decisions according to your own conscience anyway. But, this isn't a priority for me. I'm not a fan of alcohol. Getting off my soapbox. That stuff said, I don't think drinking alcohol, in and of itself, is wrong or sinful or bad. I choose not to drink. But that's a personal choice for numerous reasons.
Another thought of something that should be prioritized: loving people. Telling people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. As our seminary president, Dr. Jeff Iorg, has been quoted saying: "Go after people, not places." If you end up somewhere on the other side of the globe, that's great. If you live in the same town your whole life, that's ok, too. No matter where you are, love the people, and share God's love and saving grace with them.
Live your life. Love God. Love people. Follow Jesus. Those are priorities. Everything else falls into place.
