In What are You Increasing?

In what are you and your family increasing?

I heard this question recently and it made me wonder.

DUH and I are very purposeful with our decisions. We know our goal, to glorify God. We understand the rules, God’s Word.

In what are we to be increasing?

For us it is to grow closer to Christ and be an example that draws others to want to know Him. I want to increase in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Often times that means being different from most of the people around us. We don’t play sports; for us that would take time and money away from our more important goals. We don’t attend traditional church; we have always found that it draws our family apart instead of together. We don’t watch much of what the world considers entertainment; we see most of it as, at the very least, a distraction from what we should be doing.

We do have fun…and lots of it. We play games, sing together, watch movies occasionally. We aren’t sticks in the mud. We really love sitting around the table talking with the whole family. We enjoy being with our friends.

But we aren’t casual about what we do. It should have a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is simply to rest our minds and our bodies. In everything we try to consider, what is the purpose of this?

Sometimes, when I am not sure about a decision, I picture myself standing before God. How will I answer for this, I wonder. This helps to take away the pressure I may feel from family, friends and society.

I want to be increasing in my relationship with Him. I am willing to risk being liked or admired for the sake of this goal.

Sometimes it’s hard. But I know in the deepest place in my heart that one day I will be glad I lived in such a manner. I will spend eternity with the God that I know now only by faith.

I am so grateful for Him that strengthens me.