2008-07-04 - In Summary

A few months ago, I read an article in The New Yorker magazine (2-25-08), about the idea of summing up one's life in six words. They credited SMITH Online Magazine with the idea; SMITH had held a contest asking people to submit their "life story" in six words. It is a thought-provoking mental exercise, to try to think of six poignant words that would describe one's life. This really illustrates our priorities and shines a light into our hearts. What would yours be? Wife / Motherr / Secretary / Friend / Committee member / Birdwatcher? Maybe you would prefer adjectives: Compassionate / Thrifty / Helpful / Conscientious / Smart / Pretty?

I believe this could be interesting and helpful. But I would like us to take SMITH's idea in another direction; let's try to describe our faith journey or current faith walk in six words How would that look in your life? Here are some hypothetical examples:

"I'm a beloved child of God." Simple - but it says it.

Or maybe you'll think in terms of ministries or roles:

Teacher / elder / wife / mother / pianist / committee chair.

Or perhaps it will be a "mixed bag," illustrating a seesaw faith:

Wavering / hopeful / fearful / grieving / angry / joyous.

It can be in any form, as long as it is authentic.

You might check out some Bible verses or passages to kickstart your thinking. Here's an appropriate one:

Luke 12:15b (NIV) "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

This can be a spiritually enlightening exercise - an excellent way to hone in on our priorities, to see how well we are living them out, and most importantly, to compare them with God's priorities. And if you do this, I would love to see your list. And I will share mine with you.

Jan

cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org