philosophy

Posted somewhere in most businesses and institutions is a philosophy, a system for striving, a creed... "THIS IS WHO WE ARE, AND WE EXIST TO ACCOMPLISH [THIS]." I think the same is true of every man. Our lives reflect a philosophy- what we believe to be true and meaningful, what we strive to achieve and for what purpose. It is one man's philosophy that sets him apart from the next guy. So I've been thinking... what is my philosophy of life?

So here it is:

IN VIEW OF THE BREVITY OF LIFE

AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UNSEEN ETERNAL,

I WILL ENDEAVOR TIRELESSLY TO:
 

1) KNOW GOD INTIMATELY

2) LOVE PEOPLE SELFLESSLY

3) ENJOY BEAUTY THOROUGHLY

 

Know God Intimately.

John 17:3 says "This is eternal life: that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and the only One You have sent- Jesus Christ." Eternal life is more than pearly gates and streets of gold, Heaven is Heaven because God is there. Paul enunciates the same concept when he wrote the Philippians- "More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the SURPASSING VALUE of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ" (3:8). There is no greater pursuit and there will be no greater reward.

 

Love People Selflessly.

The progression is natural... if I know my God and grasp His grace then I will love as He loved. 1 John 4:7-8, 11 make this connection pretty clear- "Let us love one another because LOVE IS FROM GOD, and everyone who loves has been born of God AND KNOWS GOD. The one who does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE.... Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another." Not to mention, according to 1 Corinthians 13:2, if I do anything without love I AM NOTHING. People are forever... so if I invest in anything, may it be souls!

 



Enjoy Beauty Thoroughly.

"From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For THOUGH THEY KNEW GOD, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude..." (Romans 1:20-21). The splendor of creation provides an opportunity to recognize the splendor of He who created. The book of Job is filled with declarations of the jaw-dropping grandeur of creation, but my favorite verse is 26:14. After a lengthy list of things only God could do, Job says- "These are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the word we hear of Him! Who can understand His mighty thunder?" Beauty is everywhere and I'm determined to soak it up. From the little things like dandelions and dimples to the big things like the galaxies.... I want to live in gratitude for this extravagant backdrop.