FILLING MY LIFE WITH THE IDEALS

Life in Grace Series

What is an ideal life?

Many times, I defined an ideal life with my religious convictions, but not necessarily with God. I imposed an ideology and a statement of what is good and bad based on what I heard and learned but they do not necessarily comes from God. As I grew older, I needed to re-evaluate so many of them and establish my personal grounds and convictions based on what I understand the Bible says and on the character of God--God is love (Exodus 34:6-7, 1 John 4, John 3:16-17). These are some basic principles I ground my self on the character of God.

For a long time, I have imposed on myself religious standards of ideal environment and setting. It is like the only way to exist with God's blessings is on the most ideal environment promoted in our literatures, the safest lifestyle is the lifestyle that we promote. I mean, please don't get me wrong. In so many aspects this is so true. Living in an ideal environment keeps us healthy and safe. So many of the decision making is based on where we think we could have an ideal life. Assuming that it's a religious choice so it is God's will.

But at the end of the day, when I have placed myself on the most ideal ground, it is not the ideal environment that will define who I am and who I should be in the environment. Our ideal environment will definitely not make us a saint. It is not the outward circumstances that will make us grounded. It is what is inside us that makes us grounded. Or should I say, WHO is inside us that will make us grounded. It is not the ideal things that will make us do the ideal things.

Basically, it is not the all external ideals that will fill our hearts. The emptiness and the thirst of our hearts for God will not be filled by ideal environments, people, and circumstances. The most ideal place to be in is in the love of God. It is only in the love of God that we can find the most ideal place. So whither we live in the city or in the country side, what really counts is where we are at with God. If being with God leads you to the city, that is the best place to shine. If being with God leads you to the country side, that is the best place to shine. The best place is where you are with God. So the best work is where you are with God. It is where your heart is. The ideal work is where God remains in the heart.

It is not the ideals and the externals that will truly direct us but the internals. It is our relationship with God, our Christ-centered values, and redemption-centered principles. Who is inside you is the question, if you want to live an ideal life. It is not where you are at but who is inside you.