"I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied."
1 Corinthians 16:15-17
I like the idea of being able to choose to addict yourself to something positive. It's a cool idea that you could get comfort and joy (without any nasty side consequences) from something that you are so drawn to that you just don't want to stop coming back to it. ... It's easy to think sometimes that everything we *really* want is forbidden, or to feel bound and restricted by our responsibilities or commitments. ... But what if we didn't fall for that kind of mental trap, and instead saw life as an *opportunity* to absolutely fall into and immerse ourselves in something we love more than life? ... So what if other people call it a burden or a responsibility? If we love it, and we throw ourselves into it and get joy out of it, then it isn't a chore for us. It is an addiction; a positive high. :) It's a great idea, to find a way to serve God that you love and always want to do. And maybe, the more we get to know God, the easier it will be to find things like that. God's yoke sometimes feels heavy, but it's mostly psychological. :) His burden feels lighter when we understand him better, and that he does all of it for us.
The other verses I liked as well, because they are about working together. If we're addicted, awesome. If we're not, let's learn from some of the people that are, and help them... since they're addicted, they probably know all sorts of projects that we could get into as we desire to help. And the last verse is interesting too. It almost sounds like chastisement, but I don't think it is. It is more just an acknowledgement that all of us have strengths and weaknesses, and we balance each other out. If there is something lacking in me, while I learn that ... or so I *can* learn that, it is okay if we bring in someone else that is good at that... it doesn't detract from me. It only adds to the group.
Today, let's work on seeing other people as benefits to our collective success, rather than adversaries or challenges to our way of doing things. ... And let's help God and other people by finding some positive addictions to get involved in.
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied."
1 Corinthians 16:15-17
I like the idea of being able to choose to addict yourself to something positive. It's a cool idea that you could get comfort and joy (without any nasty side consequences) from something that you are so drawn to that you just don't want to stop coming back to it. ... It's easy to think sometimes that everything we *really* want is forbidden, or to feel bound and restricted by our responsibilities or commitments. ... But what if we didn't fall for that kind of mental trap, and instead saw life as an *opportunity* to absolutely fall into and immerse ourselves in something we love more than life? ... So what if other people call it a burden or a responsibility? If we love it, and we throw ourselves into it and get joy out of it, then it isn't a chore for us. It is an addiction; a positive high. :) It's a great idea, to find a way to serve God that you love and always want to do. And maybe, the more we get to know God, the easier it will be to find things like that. God's yoke sometimes feels heavy, but it's mostly psychological. :) His burden feels lighter when we understand him better, and that he does all of it for us.
The other verses I liked as well, because they are about working together. If we're addicted, awesome. If we're not, let's learn from some of the people that are, and help them... since they're addicted, they probably know all sorts of projects that we could get into as we desire to help. And the last verse is interesting too. It almost sounds like chastisement, but I don't think it is. It is more just an acknowledgement that all of us have strengths and weaknesses, and we balance each other out. If there is something lacking in me, while I learn that ... or so I *can* learn that, it is okay if we bring in someone else that is good at that... it doesn't detract from me. It only adds to the group.
Today, let's work on seeing other people as benefits to our collective success, rather than adversaries or challenges to our way of doing things. ... And let's help God and other people by finding some positive addictions to get involved in.
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