| To genuinely undertake the very best of life it is | | | | continual Presence of the living God in us to achieve |
| incumbent on us to think differently (than our default | | | | this i.e. to know, and be aware, of his Presence and |
| thinking) and to investigate two divine tasks - one as a | | | | momentary calling. This 'connection' is developed and |
| precursor and director of focus or effort, and the other | | | | maintained over time. |
| how we will need to operate day to day. These divine | | | | This is about abiding in God's will, as it is known, in the |
| tasks are, 1) to design 'policies' for living, and 2) to | | | | situation - however it presents. It's the Spiritual intuition |
| choose to be led by the Holy Spirit in all we do. | | | | and alignment with God beyond the pull of our own |
| Designing Policies for Living | | | | desires. |
| We all need standards or values with which to live our | | | | Putting the Two Together |
| lives by - many of these are chosen for us via our | | | | If we value our role as agents of God highly enough |
| upbringings. But, many we also choose. These are all | | | | we'll consider both these tasks critical in our overall |
| previously agreed rules of engagement in life and | | | | success. They'll drive how we'll engage with the world, |
| they're simply backed up in self discipline - making | | | | both in the way we prepare and in the way we'll act. |
| them operant. Being previously agreed we can be held | | | | Both these tasks together will ensure that as much of |
| accountable to them, personally and interpersonally. | | | | the pre-thought has taken place freeing up the |
| The task for us is simply to take the necessary time | | | | conscious mind for 'listening' to the Spirit of God. |
| out to explore what 'policies' we'll need particularly (that | | | | It is especially good that we fix the processes involved |
| will suit our needs presently and for growth into the | | | | in the first task so we're self disciplined and self |
| future) and set up living strategies and actions for | | | | controlled. Where we struggle to achieve these two |
| engagement so we can actually achieve these policies. | | | | ends we'll always struggle to live a fervent, effective |
| Practically, it relates to our diet disciplines, how much | | | | and functional spirituality. Yet, if we achieve the first |
| exercise we'll get and how, our devotional life and how | | | | task but don't develop the Spiritual acuity necessary to |
| that takes place, our learning disciplines etc. Of course, | | | | be led by the Holy Spirit, i.e. the ability to listen to God |
| as our lives progress these policies morph with our | | | | and heed him, we'll never go onto maturity with the |
| changing needs. It is hence a very vital thing that solid | | | | LORD. |
| values always underpin this process. | | | | This way we can see that the first task is foundational |
| Be Led by the Holy Spirit | | | | - and a prerequisite - for the second. But the second is |
| This alone is a great thing to do, but without the | | | | what takes us onward in our journey through life with |
| pre-defined rules of engagement established, i.e. our | | | | God. |
| policies for living, there's the risk of falling short and | | | | © 2010 S. J. Wickham. |
| burning people, including ourselves. We must seek the | | | | |