Write what the psalmist told his soul to do in Psalm 146:1
“Praise the Lord”
In your own words, what does it mean to tell your soul to praise God?
“I try to focus on His greatness and holiness, and on His great love. I like to try to imagine future praise sessions in person around His throne in heaven (I love the long, pregnant pause in the one ‘Holy’ song” [I think you’re referring to ‘Agnus Dei,’ honey] “– it reminds me of the future silence in heaven for half an hour)”
Do you tell yourself to do what you just wrote? If so, how often?
“Mostly when it doesn’t feel like I’m naturally flowing into it on a Sunday morning, but sometimes in the car, etc.”
When did you become aware of God as God?
“Probably between three and five years old, especially when staring into a mirror box glimpse of infinity which my dad entitled ‘My Father’s House.’ I began to recognize that I needed to choose Him as God of my life around ten or eleven, and surrendered at thirteen.”
When and how did you discover yourself as ‘self’?
“I remember sitting up in my crib and pondering the concept that I was about to not be two anymore, wondering how it would feel to wake up and be three, as well as what I’d get and how fun the day would be.”
What have you chosen for your “center” – God or self?
“God when I’m really trying to choose; unfortunately, myself far too often when I’m not.”
What did John the Baptist say in John 3:30-31 that gives us understanding as to how John perceived Christ?
“‘He must become greater; I must become less… The One who comes from heaven is above all.’”
What did John say about himself in Matthew 3:11?
“He was not fit to carry Jesus’ sandals.”
What do you say about who you are and what does it say about who is in the center of your thought closet?
“I tend to say I’m a wife, a mom, and a helpful friend and daughter, but sometimes I also say I’m a gamer, a puzzler, and a purple lady. I balance self-sacrificing with self-rewarding (or perhaps self-seeking)”
Are you satisfied with your answer?
“I don’t think God wants me to abstain from all recreational activities, but I’m sure sometimes my balance gets a little off in either direction.”
How do you really know if you are in the center of your thought closet? Check out these symptoms. They will help you know if you are in the lonely center.
The doctor’s office doesn’t return your call promptly. You tell yourself… his tardiness has nothing to do with the fact that he may be busy or have an emergency – it’s all about you.
“(What about an hour and a half in the waiting room? Can I be a little annoyed?)”
Ask God to show you – what or who do you lift up in your life?
“Him and fun, and I know it’s not supposed to be ‘and’ anything.”
What or who do you exalt?
“God and games – I know I need to not serve two masters.”
Dearest Rachel –
It is difficult to put God first when there are so many other things out there, demanding our time and attention. And let’s face it, some are more fun and appealing than others, making us want to spend more on them than we ought to. There’s nothing inherently wrong with them – God gave them to us, like He has all things, for us to enjoy – but knowing when to let go of them, and turn our attention to Him, is always a struggle.
It’s something you recognized in yourself, and I’d like to say you put a deliberate effort into making sure that you had your focus on Him when you needed to. Whether the time spent playing or watching something else negated any of that is hard for me to say; I have the same issues myself. Mine aren’t exactly the same distractions you had – and I’ve certainly discovered more since you’ve been gone (and no longer looking out for me, to keep me on the straight and narrow) – but the principle is the same with me as with you.
At least now, you’re in His presence, so that’s it’s that much easier to focus on Him as you stand before Him, singing His praises as you see Him face-to-face.
It sounds like something for me to look forward to. Wish you could tell me what it’s like.
But until then, honey, keep an eye on me, and wish me luck, I’m going to need it.
Letters to Rachel 