What is your ladder?

Much of our lives are spent outside of our homes.  We awaken to head to school for a time; or head to work; get involved in our communities; have families (which leads to a LOT of activities); get into a social gatherings; etc.  These are great things!  In fact, this is a part of the reason that any community is so vibrant and wonderful!  When people engage in their community, beautiful experiences abound and the impact we make is long lasting.

Yet there are times where our core focus gets a bit blurred.  We spend so much energy 'doing' that we forget to 'be.'  We forget to 'be' with God and allow God to 'be' with us.  We spend countless hours searching for importance in all the wrong places while neglecting our opportunity to rest in the reality that God is working at all times, including the times we relax, pause, rest and enjoy that very moment.

Instead, many have adopted the mindset of a sprinter.  We think we have to get it all done now and more is better. Yet Paul reminds us that life is more of a marathon than a sprint.  Sure, we can run as fast as we possibly can but we gas out far faster than when we pace our lives.  Instead, we keep striving for God and the things of God while keeping a pace that is manageable, one that is sane! 

I shared this great quote from Father Thomas Merton yesterday...

“People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.”

As you continue on with life this week, perhaps today is a great day to pause and ask some important questions...
    - What ladder am I climbing?
    - Is my life in rhythm with God or out of rhythm?
    - Am I looking at life like Paul- a marathon where we are reaching toward God?
    - Am I willing to abandon the ladder of achievement, pride, power, etc for the ladder of being 'In Christ'? 

May God be with you as you think through your journey of life and faith and may your ladder always lead you to a closer relationship to God!