Hey, Y'all,
Today's thought is not, at first blush, obviously spiritual, but I'm reminded of the quote that states that "Truth is Truth, even if you find it waiting for you in an unlikely place." I'm convinced that our God is big enough to reach us in unconventional ways. So here we go -- words to live by indeed:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Reminded me of something we discussed in church this past Sabbath -- the principle that rarely (if ever) does anything of any real significance come about by happenstance; nothing meaningful ever happens by accident. We must be deliberate, we must be intentional, if we expect to achieve anything of value, and this is doubly so in the spiritual arena where we are at all times (aware of it or not) in conflict with an Adversary whose primary goal is to disrupt our pursuit of genuine and meaningful interaction, of relationship if you will, with Our God.
Today's thought is not, at first blush, obviously spiritual, but I'm reminded of the quote that states that "Truth is Truth, even if you find it waiting for you in an unlikely place." I'm convinced that our God is big enough to reach us in unconventional ways. So here we go -- words to live by indeed:
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Reminded me of something we discussed in church this past Sabbath -- the principle that rarely (if ever) does anything of any real significance come about by happenstance; nothing meaningful ever happens by accident. We must be deliberate, we must be intentional, if we expect to achieve anything of value, and this is doubly so in the spiritual arena where we are at all times (aware of it or not) in conflict with an Adversary whose primary goal is to disrupt our pursuit of genuine and meaningful interaction, of relationship if you will, with Our God.
So that's the deal; are you going to strive valiantly, yes, even erring and coming up short again and again? Or are you going to sleepwalk, or sit on the sidelines, or worse still, be one who critiques those in the arena? You are either one, or the other. Make your choice.
You've been prayed for today...
