Maybe Overrated

Love you all, praying for you.
 
I just love God’s Word.  It exposes thinking, it’s the antidote for deception.  God’s way and man’s way – they are very different.  Have you ever heard people state something that they do, that they are borderline or overtly proud of - in such a way that defends it, and themselves, and reveals they deem that behavior a value or a virtue?  And the more they rationalize it, the more they think it’s a becoming trait, rather than what it really is – a mis-priority, or a detriment to respectability?  Something they are proud of that’s not that much to be proud about.  Some say, “I just speak my mind.” As if that’s a good idea.  Considering the source, maybe… you shouldn’t.  It’s just rude, and suspect when it comes to truth, wisdom or understanding.  Just cause it comes to mind, doesn’t mean it should come out of your mouth.  Check yourself.  Wisdom teaches you that.  God said, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.  ‘Those who pride themselves on ‘speaking their mind’ are quick to speak, slow to listen, so easily deceived, and easily angered.   God’s way, man’s way.  Another thing people say that they do, that they consider towards the top of the list of positive traits.  “I’m just spontaneous.  I’m not bound by tradition or stuck in the mundane, I’m spontaneous!  It’s how I live my life.” Have you ever noticed that some life attributes may be overrated?  Especially when out of place or context. There is a time for them, but not every time, not most of the time, not even half the time.  They are something you could do, but not something that should define you.  Spontaneity may be one of them.  When what God gives as a change of pace, becomes pace, you lose.  When the unexpected becomes the norm, it could keep you from the expectations that excellence requires. There’s a time to be spontaneous, but not during planting or harvest.  Without regularity, means hardly ever.  Other factors contribute certainly, talent and ability, etc., but the most successful people have the best habits, with rare exception if any.  Do you think Lebron or Steph Curry got to their level of consistent greatness by working out spontaneously - every time the mood hit them?  There are many days you don’t feel like doing what you have to do.  You don’t want to run that mile, or head to the gym, or even make your bed.  You’d rather watch a movie, than self-study that builds your skill.  You’d rather chill than skill.  “Habit prevails where motivation fails.”  It's not that you lack habits, you just have unprofitable ones. That’s why it’s so important to have the right habits.  Spontaneity is great for the times you have open.  And every once in a while – you might re-arrange your daily just for something fun and spontaneous.  God may lead you to do just that – His timing is perfect.  He knows what you need, what’s best for you, and a blessing to others.  But when it comes to lasting success in life – success is not spontaneous it’s sustainable.  It’s what you do daily, not what you do spontaneously.  Success doesn’t happen once in a while, spontaneous does.  Sometimes what we think is one thing is really something else.  Speak your mind, may just be rude and arrogant, an absence of humility and the lack of listening.  Spontaneous may be impetuous.  One can be helpful to reenergize you in the things you must do, the other just keeps you from them, a lack of self-control.  It’s funny how two very different things can be confused.  Freedom and bondage can be often misunderstood, switched.  Spontaneous at the right time, can be freeing.  Impetuous is at the wrong time, can be bondage.  So what about you?  Are you spontaneous, or impetuous, are you scattered, or successful.  Successful can enable your spontaneity (successful people have time and resources), but spontaneity rarely enables success - if it’s all you have, you can’t be.  Spontaneity is the off-speed pitch to keep them guessing, not the fastball or slider that’s your go to.  You might stumble on an idea by accident, but bringing that idea to fruition will never happen through spontaneity.  It will be diligent work in the right priority and perseverance when the mood has left you.  Praying that you’ll be more steady than spontaneous, spontaneous not impetuous, that you will walk in the Spirit – who isn’t spontaneous, He only reveals the will of your Heavenly Father.  But sometimes His will for you is to do some spontaneous things, to change your pace, refresh your mind, bless others, and re-energize you for the purpose and calling that you are walking in consistently.  These are just a couple of overrated examples.  But what about you?  Overrated is a good thing to consider.  Is there anything you do, that you’ve talked yourself into, that’s become a habit, a behavior, a thinking, or communication, that’s not the value or the virtue you think it is?  Ask God to reveal it.  Ask a friend who walks in God’s truth, if there is a blind spot they see in one of your characteristics, that is not the caliber you esteem it to be.  And then don’t get mad if they tell you.  Bring it before the LORD.  Be willing to change and be grateful that God is changing you!  He loves you, that’s why! 
 
Love you all,
dad