“You are not your handiwork; your life is not your project. Your life is God’s project. God thought you up, and he knows what you were intended to be. He has many good works for you to do, but they are not the kind of “to do” lists we give spouses or employees. They are signposts to your true self.” (Page 14)
This is wonderful reminder. Our life does not belong to us. We are not here to accomplish our own missions or complete our own projects. I like how Ortberg immediately sets the title of his book in the larger context of God’s grand story. God thought us up. He knows what we were intended to be. He gave us our temperament. He equipped us with gifts and talents. He hard-wired us with various passions and desires. He designed our body and mind. This isn’t creation by Henry Ford – the same thing mass-produced. We are hand-crafted by God the Creator. This takes the pressure off of us. Our job is to engage in the practices, experiences and relationships that will form us into the person God intended. The Spirit meets us in our intention. We begin to ”flourish.”
Chapter 2 is a description of the various counterfeit versions of self we are tempted to pursue. I think I related to all the ones he explained! I’m sure you’ve had this happen – you meet someone and gradually realize that they want you to be something you are not. Their words, facial expressions and silence are packed with the message – “you are not enough as you are.” They want you to be a deeper thinker but that’s not your tendency. They want you to be more subtle, but you have a big, loud personality. They want you to talk more, but you are more at ease listening. They want you to share your feelings but you have trouble accessing feelings. In various ways they communicate to you that you are not enough – you are not what you “should” be. Is this not one of the more oppressive burdens we heap upon one another? Do any of us long to be around those who are perpetually dissatisfied with us? Obviously, if we take spiritual formation seriously, we will walk into our blind spots. We will face some of our natural tendencies and seek God’s help to become more Christ-like in them. The thinker will need the Spirit to get in touch with their feelings. The extrovert will need to spend time with the Spirit in solitude. The loner will need to build relationships with others. But I find it liberating to remember God designed me not my critics.
Lastly, this conversation is ultimately about our spiritual formation- the shaping of our inner self and character. I thought Ortberg’s two questions to assess the health of our inner self were wonderful (page 21).
Am I growing more easily discouraged these days?
Am I growing more easily irritated?
So what were your reactions to the first two chapters?
I also liked it when he reminded us that we are not in charge of who we are in life, that God created each of us to be just what He wants us to be. I realize we do have choices but when we work on staying connected to God, He will guide us in the directions He wants or what is best for us. Now do we always do or say the right things…no but it is comforting to know that each day is new and we can start tomorrow.
To answer the 2 questions: Yes and No…….maybe it is a woman thing…..but I have good days when my head is on straight and I feel good about life and the future. I have days when everyone seems to make me happy. But truth be told….those are not the majority of my days. I struggle with myself wanting things and people to do what I want them to do….or act the way that I think they should act.
I am a huge work in process. I so want to be the best ME, I can be. I want to be all that God has created me to be. I know He has put certain people in my life for a reason and they are part of His greater plan me….So I work and pray very hard that I do not get in the way of His plan for my life.
The thought that we are handcrafted to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives is a beautiful and comforting message. The image Ortberg paints of a “flourishing” life is overwhelmingly attractive (with the possible exception of becoming “youier”).
Unfortunately chapter two hits closer to home for me. Why is it that so many of us default to “languishing”? It’s not a tough decision. Do I want to flourish or languish? Hmmm…. It sounds easy to just jump in the river and flow with the spirit. That’s what we were designed to do, right? Yet the faith to let go does not seem to come naturally and the spiritual disciplines often seem like work. Does it get easier?
I think it is important to remember that the idea that spiritual life should come easy is a lie – we are sinful, self oriented creatures with an uncanny ability to self destruct. In addition, we have an enemy who assertively stands agains God our pursuit of Him. But if we stay at it – and make gradual progress – I believe we will discover more and more the goodness of God and the life He offers – so perhaps it gets easier to walk in the Way once we have tasted His goodness.
Really, really liked chapter one. It drew me right into the book! I want to be that shuttle bus driver. I guess that’s hard to do when my answer to both questions is currently a big yes. Uncomfortable and comforting how clear his description of ‘your languishing self’ is (p.17).
It is so moving to find this book study when my big question of late has been, “God, I really can’t be all that I think I (or he or she) think(s) I should be. Please show me what You want me to do and be with who You made me!”
Glad you are reading Michaela – it will be fun to see how this progresses
Not ever blogged before so i guess i am growing in some ways. started late, so just finished 1 and 2. I do find myself more discouraged and irritated, I have even found myself forgetting to breath as i rush through my day.
1. I liked the title. simplistic but truthful. since i was young I have imagined that at my death i would be told “this is what I gave you to work with” an dhopefully God would be pleased.
2. As i get older the challenge is love. for some reason my compassion,mercy and love for those who have suffered has waned. i have been focusing on the fruit of the spirit in my prayers. Not sure why 40 has challenged my views in politics, religion, charity. i was hoping to get closer the to the me i want to be but am farther away. hopefully the next few chapters will dig some of that out.
In looking back at the stuff I highlighted from chapter one, another thing that stuck out is on page 16: ”God doesn’t make anything and then decide to through it away. He creates, and then if there is a a problem, he rescues.”. It is so wonderful to be able to rest in the confidence that we have a loving Father who would much rather rescue us than punish us. In fact, he has done everything he can, including sending his done to die for our sins, to avoid needing to punish us. It is sad that many people (myself included at one point in my life) are too proud, or too embarrassed, or too much in denial, or too full of the feeling of helplessness, to accept his help.
I really enjoyed the next chapters 3-6. I cant wait any long so I am writing on the wrong section. Ihate journaling. I always end up trying buying a nice journal, and end upmakeing lists of things I need to do or my schedule for the week. Not one recorded thought. the spiritual formation techniques can be defeating.
I am not good at memorizing scripture, i dont know why, I try and I forget. My most spiritual time is when i walk, or run the dog on the trails. I have tried to findpartners and realized after reading these chapters that I had one. (not the dog). ON all my walks and running God is with me, reflecting, comforthing, teaching. It has renewed my commitment to keep this up, i had pushed it away to spend time with the kids.
Have no idea what thatgo softer statement was allabout. hope you can help.