S - "...one who loves what is good..." Titus 1:8
O- In this section Paul is listing the characteristics of an elder. "Love what is good." Well, that just about sums it up. If you are loving what is good, then you're staying away from all the other stuff. So, what is good? Paul goes on to clarify that too: self-control, upright, holy, and disciplined.
A - How I want to exemplify all four characteristics in my own life:
self-control: I always think of self-control in relation to food. That is just the red light area for me. My self-control is tested the most when I am baking. I love to bake, but I must control the bowl-licking and the taste-testing. I have lots of baking occasions coming up, and want to be victorious in self-control while in the kitchen.
upright: This sounds like someone who is always right. Someone who always says the right thing at the right moment. Someone who is never out of line. How wonderful that sounds! There is a lady at church named Debby who I lo-o-o-ve. She is wonderful! Debby reminds me of an upright woman. I need to be around Debby more.
holy: To be like Christ. To be set apart. Being different is what Christains are suppose to be. We are to make deliberate decisions that take us down the narrow road rather than the wide. Being different comes in the little things: how I spend my money, what I fill my time with, my choice to ignore drama rather than fuel it. It is about being happy and having a peace that others notice.
discipline: Discipline also produces a red light for me...running! I am 2 weeks into my running club. It is a blast and a half, but I know it will get harder as time goes on. Right now the runs are short which means I can get them in in the morning when it is cooler and not as windy. The longer we run I won't be able to fit my runs in in the morning and that is going to put a huge strain on the evenings. I chose to make this priority and stay disciplined throughout the training.
P - I pray for victory in the kitchen when I am baking. As Lysa says, "We are made for more!" I also pray for the running and that the Lord will provide the strength to complete every run to the best I can give. May I love what is good :)
I'm so thankful I'm doing this with y'all. I get so much insight from what y'all see in the same passage I'm reading that I don't see!
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with ya sister in the discipline, self control, being holy, and upright. I want those characteristics so much and for the first time in my life not because I want others to see it but because I know how much closer I will be to CHRIST!!!!
You can do it you can do it!!!! I believe in you and I know you will make a way to escape when the temptations come! I will pray for endurance and strength in your running!
Check out the Peak 313 link. She has great fitness and helath tips. I know you have a library full from Weight Watchers but she's a lot of fun to read.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your goal with your running club? I'm finally back up to 3 miles and I'm not sure my knees want more!