“Once we become aware of the patterns that persist in our own life, it’s as if blinders have been removed. We can start to see why we act the way we do. Our eyes see more clearly, and we have the choice of being transformed by God’s grace through the renewing of our mind.”- Meredith McDaniel
Meredith McDaniel concludes Chapter 7 of In Want + Plenty as she observes that sometimes we find it easier to move forward with life as we know it. We manage to do life on our own. Therefore, we feel no compelling reason to change.
However, Meredith asserts, the last thing we think we need is the thing we need the most. That thing? For someone to hear our story and stay. Because telling our story means we’ve pulled the curtain back far enough to reveal our flaws. As a result, we gain perspective on our life. Telling our story forces us to come to terms with this reality.
Furthermore, we fail to realize that we all operate under patterns every day. These mindless habits and routines seem quite normal to us. But, their enticing web sweeps us up. Consequently, the author observes, most of us move thoughtlessly through life. We’re unable to search our souls for the reasons we live the way we do.
Certainly, we possess the capability to analyze our response. However, Meredith adds, we lack awareness of what’s going on beneath the surface of our actions.
In conclusion, Meredith summarizes:
“We are complex creatures with many layers. We were all made creatively and have a God who wants to know us and be with us. He longs for us to come to him to find out who we really are and what we were made for. He designed us with a plan in mind; we are not an accident. God has a plan for us. . . . Frederick Buechner says it best: ‘The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger coincide.’ ”
Today’s question: Please describe patterns that persist in your own life.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Our vices – own them and name them”
