Defined by _______
What defines you?
We live in a world where it’s easier and more common to let ourselves be defined by our commitments, meetings, appointments, and accomplishments than by our values & beliefs.
Go ahead, ask someone how their life is.
They’re tell you about the trip they just took, or the tough meetings at work, or the ball game they’re looking forward to this weekend.
Go ahead, ask someone how their kids are.
They’ll tell you that he just made an A on his math test, or that she just made the cheerleading squad. They may tell you that he just got an award for something or that she’s going to a slumber party on Friday night.
Go ahead, ask someone how their relationship with God is doing.
They’re tell you how much time they’ve spent reading their Bible, how often they’ve been to church, or how many small groups they’re a part of.
(I just wrote several paragraph and decided to delete them all. I can hopefully be helpful by being more succinct)
I can’t give you a formula for living from values rather than living from appointments.
But I can tell you this from my own observations: People who live “missionally”—meaning they live out the values of the Gospel in an organic, everyday way—are generally less programmatic in their approach to life.
People who live out of values (and Christians are centered on Gospel-centered values) are more likely to invite you over for dinner or out for coffee; people who live out of appointments are more likely to try first and foremost to get you to their small group.
People who live out of values are more likely to have more free time in their schedules; people who live out of appointments will likely schedule you in for a Thursday in 3 weeks.
People who live out of values generally tend to live open-handedly; people who live out of appointments live more tight-fistedly.
What defines you? If you want to move towards being defined by values rather than appointments, be ready to talk about your values.
I'm a runner, writer, thinker, and pastor. I love to agitate people's consciences. I like to spend my time reading, running, and relaxing with family & friends.