Productivity vs. Boredom: Sowing and Reaping - Part 2

When people hit mid-life, that period of life say from thirty-five to fifty, daily routines tend to dominate one's waking hours. Perhaps some relief comes by going to church, seeing friends there, and engaging in Bible study and worship with these friends. Even these gratifying choices may lose their luster and be relegated to just another routine.

I agree that marriage, parenting, and work require routines, but God created us for change. He intends for us to push out the boundaries of our knowledge as well as our wisdom. When you cease to test these boundaries, you're in danger of being vulnerable to stagnation or self-absorption, which is indicative of potential isolation and loneliness.

Asking God for insight on how to modify your routines is asking for change. Contributing to the next generation's wisdom for living in an insecure world can be your motive. Proverbs 11:24 offers hope and a warning: "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds and comes to poverty." Choosing to be a blessing to others pleases God.  

Productivity vs. Boredom: Sowing and Reaping - Part 1

Young children are capable of demonstrating personal power. I know you've observed children compete over significant issues like who's going to ride in the front seat. Personal power issues persist throughout life in one form or another. All too often, personal power is used to control others for the purpose of self-gain or self-indulgence.

Self-indulgence leads to self-absorption and greed and eventually trying to control others. A truth worthy of accepting is that human beings were not designed to be controlled. Those who try are usually met with passive or aggressive resistance. God in his mercy, kindness, and grace does not choose to control us, but permits us to chose how we live our lives.

We can use our personal power to give blessings to others. St. Paul told the Corinthians, "Remember, whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly. Whoever sows generously will reap generously." Don't be hesitant to give what you learned to those coming up behind you, even if it requires sacrifice. God will richly bless you.  

Treasure Hunting - Part 3

The journey toward mid-life is often approached with resistance or even denial. Someone observed that as a generation grows older an important issue all must face is what to do with the wisdom and knowledge gained during the past decades of adult life. How you deal with this issue speaks loud and clear in defining the kind of person you are in particular.

All your life you may have been generous with what you possess as a result of the gifts and talents God gave you. It includes the practical, emotional, and intellectual skills you used to subdue the challenges God placed before you. As you come to this stage of life, the challenge is to pass on to the next generation what was given to you.

Productive change includes standing up for the godly influence you can be on those around you. It's giving something that money can't buy and receiving the promise of 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that in all things, at all times you will abound in every good work." May God's grace always be evident in you.

Uncertainty to Assurance: Giving and Gaining - Part 1

The account of the rich ruler in Luke 18 is important for all people regardless of wealth, power, or position. Possessions were not enough to provide lasting fulfillment. This man was seeking assurance that success and wealth could not generate. He realized that success was not enough to sustain indefinitely a sense of joy and peace.  

          This individual was standing at a crossroad in need of change. He looked to Jesus for direction. When Jesus told him to give away all he possessed to the poor and follow him, he became very sad because that was a choice he refused to make. He failed to understand that all his talents and gifts, his wealth and power came from God.

          Your hope for eternal life and immortality comes from what you can give away, primarily giving your life to Christ Jesus, then following him. God intended for you to give to the next generation and to others your knowledge and wisdom, your love and faith that were God's gifts to you. Jesus said this was laying up treasures and wealth in heaven.  

Choosing a New Perspective - Part 3

Losing perspective on the purpose and direction of one's life often happens during what is known as mid-life. The majority of individuals have skills that will sustain them throughout adulthood to insure productivity until retirement, but there are phases of life when the future may seem uncertain. This uncertainty and doubt may create anxiety or even depression.

Moving into mid-life sometimes means experiencing an identity crisis often associated with the loss of youthful looks and energy. Healthy change may mean obtaining a new perspective on what to do with the skills, knowledge, and wisdom - both learned and given by God's grace and kindness. Most everyone realizes that hoarding these treasures is unrewarding and unfulfilling.

Luke 18:18 relates a story about a man of position and prestige who came to Jesus concerned about his immortality and asked how to be assured of eternal life. The choice Jesus gave him was to give away what is transient and follow him. He would then have peace and assurance. Jesus does not ask us to do what is impossible, but what promises abundant life.  

From Industry to Identity - Part 1

Starting to school is a crucial turning point in the social development of a child. For some children, this is a significant first step for entering an environment where expectations, social demands, and ethical standards may be different from their home life. If the atmosphere is acceptable and safe, a child begins a lifetime learning adventure.

          Developing a positive attitude toward learning is essential for successfully adjusting to school life. If school adjustment problems persist, parents must make sure their child gets help so the developmental task of industry and productivity progresses normally. This critical task centers around cooperating with teachers and those within their peer groups.

          Responsibility for a child's social and intellectual growth depends on the child, parent, and teacher. Persistence and perseverance are required. Listen to James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him." That's God's promise.  

Learning Productivity - Part 3

Do you realize how much determination it takes for an infant to master crawling, learning to walk, and acquiring language? As parents provide an atmosphere of trust that allows a strong sense of self to flourish, their children go to school prepared and eager for mastering the task of industry and productivity.

There are children who enter elementary school unprepared and unready for the task of learning. Parents must overcome their own fears, unpreparedness, and anxiety so they can take appropriate steps to insure their child is provided all available resources to meet their needs. While there are barriers to overcome, persistence helps insure success.

Success in the elementary years can't be stressed enough, for children take with them these initial ideas of what it means to be productive throughout adulthood. Listen to Proverbs 22:6. "Train or teach a child how he should live, and he will remember it all his life." The choices you help your children make about persistence and staying on track will remain a continuous guide and encouragement.  

Learning Productivity - Part 2

What holds a person back from becoming successful, loving, and giving? I'm sure there are many reasons this affliction grips the lives of some of God's people. Laziness and lack of motivation could be argued as probable causes. Feelings of inferiority and inadequacy keep gifts and talents hidden behind a curtain of fear.

As unbelievable as it may seem, change is possible by confronting the feelings that stifle achieving the productive life God intended. While it's true that we can't go back and do any part of our lives over, we can make choices to alter what gives power to negative perceptions and beliefs.

Begin by rejecting a belief that you're stuck and incapable of change. Believe that you were created by God for a special purpose that will honor him and bless others. See yourself as a child of God, redeemed by Christ Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believe you're capable of being productive with what God has given you. Keep these truths in your heart and mind until they become real to you.  

Learning Productivity - Part 1

God's desire for his people is that they be industrious and productive. Industry is a developmental task the elementary age child learns to master. The goal for a child at this age is to become skilled in reading, math, social studies, and science. Success most often depends on acquiring social skills. This learned productivity creates patterns for living that last a lifetime.

Children who are shy or feel inadequate conceal their treasures. These children need encouragement and tutoring until their self-image changes. Be alert to identifying a child's strengths and positive attributes. Feelings of inadequacy and inferiority are difficult to overcome, but with determination and God-given courage, change is possible.

The temptation is to linger in the shadows of your capabilities. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness." With every temptation, God provides a way to escape. So please be encouraged, and strive to be the person God created you to be.