Being Inspired

This crisp, timely fall morning in Stillwater, Oklahoma has led me into a contemplative time of self discovery. Upon the wake of yet another seemingly beautiful day in creation, I want to address the idea of being inspired. Inspiration is a noun, defined “arousing to a particular emotion or action.” We generally want to be inspired but it only comes in a few moments, in which we bask in our coming alive.

Early in life, I feel like these moments were limited to pre junior high football games and those rare moments where I grasped the idea of truly being loved (no mistake, I was told 5x a day by both parents, but really grasping it).

As I’ve been growing in my understanding of myself and my faith, I see that there are moments where I’m both drawn in and inspired to the cause of my Lord and Savior and times when I have a larger sense of contentment with where I am in life and this is what it looks like:
1) A cup of coffee with any of 6 or 7 key men in my life
2) Gospel centered music i.e.: Derek webb, phil wickham, newly found lecrae
3) Late night drives on highway 51 in ol’ blue
4) Late night journaling
5) Matt Chandler sermons
6) Sincerely and unexpectantly helping someone
7) The book of romans

This has been part of what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 16:13, where he warns us when he says “Be on your guard.” God, through Paul, commands us to know where we’re both strong and weak in order to bring God the most glory possible. My top list of dishonoring moments for the most part is morally neutral, but is a great example of how we can struggle with putting the creation ahead of it’s Creator.
1) Finding my joy in Oklahoma State sports (never a good idea)
2) Being unorganized and unproductive
3) Hitting the snooze button
4) Lacking initiative and intentionality in clear situations
5) Watching a 2nd or 3rd Sportscenter
6) Idolatry of fun-ice cream, friends, comfort

I see that I need to be more aware and full of the good, Christ honoring things in my life, not for my salvation but for the glorification of God in my life. That my life will be ever transforming into that of a more serving, Christ centered figure and that John’s decree in chapter 3 that “He would become more and I would become less” would be true in my life. love you guys have a great day
-mandy candy