What have you been attached to that could keep you from living for God’s purpose

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   Iamsamposted 11 years ago

   What have you been attached to that could keep you from living for God’s purposes?

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   Jisblessedposted 11 years ago

   For me, I can only sum it up in one word, ignorance. For me, it's being ignorant to the Truth of God's Word and that is not knowing the full realization of the GRACE of God. I'm thankful that I have a better understanding of the manifold grace of God and it's moving me forward in living for God's purpose.

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   Seek-n-Findposted 11 years ago

   Good question.  I'll have to think about it--but off the top of my head I wonder if it's debt (student loan) and lack of knowledge of how to make money enough to be responsible, provide for family, and to DO what I'm called to do, while still having the TIME to do what I'm called to do. 
   
   I feel like I stand in a place in which my time and income feel so precarious.So, for example, I am a freelance writer and I keep taking on educational consulting jobs because they pay the bills.  My husband and I don't live a fancy life--but we have goals and are preparing for a child.  We are trying to eat healthy food and that is more costly.  I know I'm supposed to be home to raise my child so that means no traditional "safe" 9-5 job. 
   
   Also, God has given me a novel to write--and articles--and other book ideas.  I work on them when I can but it seems like 85% of my time goes to the writing jobs that "make money" and by the time I get to the projects I'm most excited about I tend to have little time, energy, or creativity left.  I tried working on my "God" projects first for a week and left my consulting for last.  That was a stressful week--I had to stay up late every night to finish my work and while I did get a lot accomplished on the "God" projects, my consulting suffered--I think I had more edits returned to me that week than normal. 
   
   So I guess right now it seems like a lack of knowledge or lack of a strategy.  If I knew clearly how to do this I would do it.  I heard the call, but the way isn't totally clear (yet).  I'm taking one step of faith at a time (I often take leaps of faith and end up jumping too far, too fast, too often) so  I'm learning how to slow down a little. 
   
   I used to not take steps of faith at all--I was too afraid to make decisions.  Then I became a leaper and risk-taker.  I had a radical encounter with God and His truths and went through years of becoming truly me and much more free.  This enabled me to take huge leaps of faith. 
   
   Now I think God is teaching me balance (we often learn one side of the pendulum and then the other before we learn how to go back and forth or be in the middle).
   
   I'm in a period of transition so that is always stretching and uncomfortable.  So what am I "attached" to?   Maybe and old way of doing things because in this new season I need new strategies.  I wouldn't say I'm attached to old ways--but holding on, yes, because I don't know what the new thing looks like yet.

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      Jisblessedposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @ seek: bottom line we all have/had that journey. I found out what let go; let God really means. Stop trying to provide and do for myself. Let God do it by believing in the Finish Work of Christ. He will do it through you. Work-believe the Word Grace

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   getitriteposted 11 years ago

   Isn't everything God's purpose?  Whatever I am doing, whether it is attached to anything or not, is God's purpose.  How could it not be?

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      Jisblessedposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      When we walk or go after things of the flesh self willed and not from God purpose, God's will for my life, it's not attached to God, only self and Satan. God's will is keeping his message of Grace and Truth. Attached to God. What God purpose for Adam

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is what the saints say. They also say that until we know this through knowledge, self-effort is necessary. Do not cop out.

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   Rayne123posted 11 years ago

   This is a good question.
   
   I think we all have been attached to something that kept us from living/practicing Gods will.
   
   Most of us at one point have sinned
   breaking any of the ten commandments is living against Gods will.
   
   however God will always be there for us and show us a way out if tempted.
   If we ask
   I think God puts tests in front of us so he knows who to condemn.
   
   However for myself personally I was not attached to anything that would have kept me from living Gods will. I do not mean that I did not sin but I do mean that I realize it was not Gods will and was able to detach myself.
   God is the only perfect being.
   He never changes, yesterday, today and tomorrow, nor does he ever go back on his word.
   
   The biggest thing I believe that could keep any one being is a lie. God hates a liar and deceiver and states that deceiving Jesus is forgiven but deceiving our father never will be tolerated.
   
   God is truth
   
   deceiving/lying leads to all the loneliness and miserable parts of your life without God.

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6. 71

   manatita44posted 11 years ago

   Attachment is one of the five cardinal vices. The opposite is dispassion. "To work we are entitled, but not to the fruits thereof." Put another way, we should do our best but surrender the results to God. We can measure our attachments when our children are sick or our wife/husband dies or leaves. Our car becomes damaged, or our bank goes bust, etc.Do we hang on to that cigarette or drug or chocolates?
   
   I carry my burdens to. My main one is lust, something which I have been struggling with and will continue to struggle with for many years, unless Grace intervenes, of course.
   Suffering is a result of attachments/cravings/desires, and will  affect our living a God-centred life. For those who may feel that it is not there, let them reflect on the cause of their sorrows when it next arrives.

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   connorjposted 11 years ago

   
   
   I have a significant attachment to ice hockey. Although I am in my 50s now I still love to play as much as possible. It is indeed a great sickness for me because I have now worked out a ridiculous logic to justify doing it.
   This is my ridiculous justification; since we assume H-E double hockey sticks is significantly hot; would not the opposite end be somewhat ice - cold? If this is the case, one may presume that perhaps Heaven is not hot at all; but ice cold; thus, one could expect ice and perhaps God would provide the equipment, puck and nets... Game on!

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My spiritual Teacher loved sports! Still, I believe that you are sincere with your attachment. Actions by themselves have no power. What matters in action, is a live vibrant awareness of the power of God.

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      connorjposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your kind words; that speaks highly of you and will indeed serve you well...

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   oldhorseposted 11 years ago

   I believe that religions are parasitic memes that infect people. So, "God's purpose " has no meaning to me.

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      getitriteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Indeed!

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Fair enough. Then practice the goodness or love that you show your daughter or loved ones. Then you won't offend or hurt others.

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