Inner Thoughts

For we are God's handwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

              Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Sometimes, the work that needs done has nothing to do with the exterior.  It's not in downsizing possessions, how one eats, exercising, creating or even in our interactions with other people.  Sometimes, the work is inner.  Within ones own self, the innermost being.  It's not even in worshipping or prayer.  But rather it is in allowing God's handiwork to reach it's full potential.  That handiwork being ourselves.  Recognizing that our purpose here is to glorify God, to do the work he has prepared for us to do.  

I struggle so often with "what" my work is.  Is it the work of helping new families off to a good start?  Is it creating beautiful artwork in paint, photographs, or stitchery for other's to enjoy?  Is it in the home I create and the hospitality I provide?  Is it in the blogs I write and share?  Is it in the relationships of family and friends and the brief acquaintances I make?  

John Ortberg states in his blog post, "One Flourishing Life"  that  the work to be done is "receiving power from the Spirit of God to become the person God had in mind when he created you - his handiwork."  The problem is that "I" get in the way.  

So my work is to get "me" out of the way, so that "God/Christ in me" can come to the forefront.  It's not an easy task.  It's all too easy to let my personal wishes and desires take priority.  The older I get, the more I realize what a selfish person I can be.  

How to change this?  I am no expert and am still very much on the journey,  but what I see is that I need to spend more time in the Word of God.  More time communicating with God in prayer.  Rooting out those things that cause my disobedience to God and that cause me to reflect poorly on God.