DAY 28...Climb The Ladder
"To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We've discussed orienting yourself toward Christ. Driving ourselves toward a goal. In their song, Amazing, Aerosmith sings, "Life's a journey, not a destination." Nothing we do is a one and done deal. We are not likely saved in a single moment, but in a journey toward Christ. Similarly we are not damned in a single moment, in a single event that we do.
In every case we must decide to continue our journey toward Christ. If we mess up, Christ does not say, "Sorry, don't bother coming back." Similarly, we cannot say, "I've figure it out and am saved because of one thing I've done."
In business, upward mobility is called climbing the ladder. One enters a business as low man on the totem pole but due to good and hard work, determination, ethical behavior, she is recognized by the organization and gets promoted, then promoted again, this is climbing the ladder. Of course people climb the ladder doing things that are not ethical, taking shortcuts, and submitting to temptation of trampling down others. At some point this is usually figured out and people get in trouble.
Life works similarly, we are all trying to ascend to Christ. There are ways that help us move up the ladder and there are millions of temptations that try to pull us off the ladder. These temptations may be actions or even feelings of lust, hate, impatience, and pride.
We've discussed orienting yourself toward Christ. Driving ourselves toward a goal. In their song, Amazing, Aerosmith sings, "Life's a journey, not a destination." Nothing we do is a one and done deal. We are not likely saved in a single moment, but in a journey toward Christ. Similarly we are not damned in a single moment, in a single event that we do.
In every case we must decide to continue our journey toward Christ. If we mess up, Christ does not say, "Sorry, don't bother coming back." Similarly, we cannot say, "I've figure it out and am saved because of one thing I've done."
In business, upward mobility is called climbing the ladder. One enters a business as low man on the totem pole but due to good and hard work, determination, ethical behavior, she is recognized by the organization and gets promoted, then promoted again, this is climbing the ladder. Of course people climb the ladder doing things that are not ethical, taking shortcuts, and submitting to temptation of trampling down others. At some point this is usually figured out and people get in trouble.
Life works similarly, we are all trying to ascend to Christ. There are ways that help us move up the ladder and there are millions of temptations that try to pull us off the ladder. These temptations may be actions or even feelings of lust, hate, impatience, and pride.
Perhaps pornography is something that is pulling someone away from Christ. Perhaps, if only, that person could overcome that struggle, they would be climbing up the ladder in no time! The truth is, it doesn't work that way. We all have struggles and some of the bigger struggles have underlying issues. Perhaps anger, pride, impatience, lying or something else is part of what causes this particular sin. We need to examine ourselves, to see what else we struggle with and work on ourselves wholly.
We must find peace within ourselves to orient ourselves toward God. Don't just focus on quitting porn to quit porn. Focus on every aspect of who you are, and feed the good wolf.
“The first stage of this tranquility consists in silencing the lips when the heart is excited. The second, in silencing the mind when the soul is still excited. The goal is a perfect peacefulness even in the middle of the raging storm.” + St. John Climacus, Step 8.4, Ladder of Divine Ascent
We must find peace within ourselves to orient ourselves toward God. Don't just focus on quitting porn to quit porn. Focus on every aspect of who you are, and feed the good wolf.
“The first stage of this tranquility consists in silencing the lips when the heart is excited. The second, in silencing the mind when the soul is still excited. The goal is a perfect peacefulness even in the middle of the raging storm.” + St. John Climacus, Step 8.4, Ladder of Divine Ascent
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 4. Check out, "Have You Ever Stepped Out of the Addiction Cycle?" "Keeping it Real," and "How are You Feeling Today?"
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. What are some other things you struggle with? 2. What can you do to feed the good wolf and steer clear or find peace form those things?
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Pray. Go be with someone. Go hang out with that person with no phones, no technology. Perhaps ask them fun questions like, "What's your favorite movie?" "What's is something you wanted to be when you were younger?"
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.