I would have never been able to belt out this post had I not went through a series of changes last week. I felt it within on Monday and prepared my self as much as I could through prayer. See, the thing about change is that it is inevitable. It's going to happen whether you like it or not. The message I received today was about relationships. But before I move to fast, on Friday evening I spoke to a very special friend about a situation that I went through with an acquaintance. I thought she was a friend, but once I received the true definition of what a friend is, then I realized the cause for the miscommunication in our situation. Egos were being thrown around and noone wanted to back down after we had a disagreement. It's funny how you are taught something and if it is not practiced or rehearsed, you soon forget it. I just wrote about Ego via Oprah's Lifeclass and totally forgot to apply it to that situation. But life goes on...and seasons change.
The thing about Growth is that it is a process and it demands change. Physical change is something that happens no matter what. Spiritual Growth is intentional. It requires time, commitment, and discipline.
Spiritual Growth has three elements/components:
-Relationships (Your interaction and behavior with others)
-Truth (Honesty)
-Time (Patience/Humilty)
Relationships are the most critical...to life. The reason this is the most siginificant is because of our free will to make choices. We can do anything we want in life. We have that freedom, although, it is not wise. Our choices range in a vast amount of things. But who we choose to enter into a relationship with, whether it is an intimate relationship, a friendship, or a partnership, it is still based on choice.
Four of the ten commandments deal with our relationship to God while the other six deal with our relationships with people. But all ten are about relationships. How you treat other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. Real maturity (and growth) is demonstrated in relationships. Many people grow up in families with unhealthy relationships, so they lack the relational skills needed for healthy authentic relationships (whether it's business or personal). This is why truth and honesty are so important. You can trust a person that communicates to you their concerns. We as a people being connected through One source must care enough to lovingly speak the truth, even when you would prefer to fluff, sugar coat, or even ignore an issue. Most don't have people in their life who love them enough to tell them the truth (even when it's painful), so they continue in self-destructive ways.
An honest answer is a sign of true friendships. -Ephesians 4:15Many relationships are destroyed by a Lack of Honesty
Real relationships (i.e. marriage, partnership, friendship) are developed through being authentic or frank. There is a big difference in being real and being authentic. Being real is not a license to say anything you want wherever and whenever you want. There is always a right time and right way to do everything. Thoughtless, careless words and actions leave lasting wounds.
Even a fool is considered wise when he doesn't speak his whole mind. (Proverb)Life is a Process
Life is a process and the process is designed to protect us.
The Relationship Process
1. Introduction::When you first meet someone, you are introduced...and that is as far as a relationship should go. (Hey, how are you? I am___________. Nice to meet you.) #That's it
2. Acquaintance::After the introduction is made, you may make a connection and would like to know more about the person. This is where you learn their competence, morals, ethics, and their character. This is the period where you determine if your chemistry is balanced. Most relationships should end here because many people should only be an acquaintace.
3. Friendship::Once graduated from introduction and acquaintance, you then enter into a friendship. Through this process you gain a mutual respect for the other person. A friend knows you very well and still likes you. Everyone is not mature enough to handle who you really are. That is why it is vital to understand who and what a friend really is and what it is not. Genuine relationships are based on trust and humility.
4. Intimacy: This is when you expose yourself by sharing things that you would never share with anyone. This is completely being insync with someone::emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. If you are married or would like to become married, there are three steps prior to this step you must take to get to this point.
Life is a Process
Life is a process and the process is designed to protect us. Many people skip the most important element in the process and that's the acquaintance process.
If you are reading this post, in this very moment, you must take accountability. You are being lead in the direction of intentional growth. If you find changes all around you and in every area of your life, your season is changing. You will be entering into a new season and a new place in life. Your perspective on everythng that has occured thus far will determine the outcome. Where you are currently in the growth process resembles the choices you have made thus far. If there is dramatic changes happening currently in your life, this is as a result of the time you took to discpline yourself. It is a manifestation of your commitment to intentionally wanting to grow spiritually. If you are in the same place, the same circumstances, and the same situation, it is a result of your inability to commit to discipline. And believe it or not, relationships is the element that is used for you to excercise discipline. When you are conscious and aware of your reaction to life and people, you are commiting yourself to intentional growth.
So remember that when your heart is right, what is coming IN your life is greater than what is leaving (or has left). Welcome to the exchange process....Seasons Change. (Dr. Dale C. Bronner)
Anything I feed you, I had to eat myself. -Joyce MeyerSome of the content in this post are taken from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life
0 comments:
Post a Comment