All that I want is in Jesus;
He satisfies, joy He supplies;
Life would be worthless without Him,
All things in Jesus I find.
“No, don’t bring the Bible into this matter now”
“Let’s talk common sense and logic”
“Don’t use God to ……”
“Please don’t bring in all of those church stuff”
“I find it impossible…”
I know the above are lines you must have heard or must have even said at a point in time.
That is because sometimes, we actually feel burdened to go that way- the way of the Scriptures.
It appears unrealistic
It doesn’t appeal to our emotional state
It dismisses realities.
That moment, our resolve is to do what sounds ‘logical’ and gratifies our inclinations
Doing anything outside it feels like a burden or sabotaging one’s being.
Quite understandable as I have been also there.
Reading from some authors &listening to some speakers recently would leave me with whispers of “is this not what the Bible also encourages you to do?”
So what’s different?
I hope to mention at the end.
Have you heard about emotional intelligence?
What do you know about it?
Ephesians 4:26,27
Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.
Emotional intelligence is a contemporary word I assume we must have heard about.
Certainly not in the Bible as ’emotional Intelligence’ but what does the Bible teach us in the above scriptures?
It validates our emotions & the need for them to be expressed appropriately. It also goes ahead to define limits for us which is a form of emotional intelligence – a core value needed in navigating life.
If we pause to embrace the truths of the Scriptures when we are pressured to discard and go ahead with what suits us, then can we begin to feel, recognize & palpate its beauty.
You might want to see this TRUTHS THAT HAVE SHAPENED IN A YEAR
The Bible isn’t just some book created for psychopaths as some think. It recognizes our frailties supplying us with helps rather than indulging us.
I am beginning to find the Bible handy as it concerns every matter of life if I wouldn’t box it to cater just to my spiritual needs & thought to share with you.
1)Leadership: I’m not sure if there’s been a man in history who exemplifies leadership better than the man Jesus. His rules of engagement mirrors the contemporary principles that contemporary authors about leadership have in their books.
Mention any attribute of a great leader penned down through the books, all and even more would you find in Christ.
What about Moses to Joshua and new testament Prophets?
2)Parenting: It’s rather unfortunate that parenting in Africa tilts towards gratifying extremes from parents and that from the west in contrast, indulges children-A misplace which isn’t wholesome you’d agree.
The Scriptures is replete with parenting styles that provide a perfect approach to parenting.
Models abound of authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved psychologist’s theory of parenting.
Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline].
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
I like that the Bible treats each age group as a whole being deserving of love & respect.
3)Finances: The book of proverbs comes in handy for a right & balanced perspectives about money.
From the source of one’s wealth to spending culture to saving to inflation and studying the times to scale of preference, all you will find in the Scriptures- that’s some real book you can say as I thought while typing.
If you don’t agree, you can start with the book of proverbs then follow through cross references.
You certainly should have a change of opinion at the end.
4)Relationships: Important to remind you that 6 of the 10 commandments was rather about our relationship with our fellow men.
You want to improve on your social skills, the Bible supplies us with enough strategies
Not only the Bible, the Holy Spirit- Sure helper as regarding that.
You just tell him and let Him in.
I think it actually will be wrong of me not to identify as one who’s benefitted from the strategies the Holy Spirit whispers.
It works!
5)Academics/ Career
It’s not a news that the Bible mirrors excellence. The principles in there from integrity to being prompt and not procrastinating, diligence with many others are high value points that speakers or authors would often mention as requisite for success.
Why do we feel the Bible is just an old book with assertions that are for ‘spirits’
So why are we always pressured in a moment to discard the Bible?
What is then different?
Authors & Speakers give examples
Their charisma comes to play
They use word play- The gift of writing or oratory smoothens in our mind
They use contemporary language that you can relate with.
“Those who wrote the Bible are not in this dispensation and won’t feel what I am feeling” we say
We are guarded & already defensive.
“It’s hard to obey all those bunch of rules- Show me someone who obeys to the core” we say & indulge.
What can we start doing differently?
Take a pause to meditate & hope to see clearly & understand deeply God’s heart.
Simulate examples in contemporary times
Have the resolution that the Bible is written with God having our interest at heart.
The Bible addresses quite a number of contemporary themes of life holistically only if we would search through.
From emotional intelligence, to God’s purpose to feminism, lesbianism and whatever at all, we can find a right guide.
Not only right, but the best !
Heyyyy!
I know you might still be tempted to dismiss Biblical principles one of these days
I pray you will be reminded of its beauty
I pray you will find the strength to pause & embrace it.
Even though there are some questions without answers yet, but while searching for that, I hope not to let out of my grasp the ones I have found- I will savor its beauty each passing day.
All that is in Jesus I find!
With
Love,
Integrity
&
Peace.
