Warning: counter-cultural views inside

I'm a big fan of thinking, and being challenged in my thinking, because I think it's where our motives and actions spring from. Emo or whatever, these are a few questions that have been on my mind recently or for the past few months.  

1. Why (so often) does pensive = depressing ? 2. Why is there tension between this life and the next? 3. Why is it hard to tear down the walls that hold our real selves inside? 4. Why do we try so hard to look good when the room we stand in is dark? 5. Why do we stop for red traffic lights in our cars, but not when we're pedestrians? 6. Why do we continue to plan 'our lives' and rarely stop to consider that this is actually God's life to use? 7. Should I feel guilty about children in third world countries or see my blessings as just that, blessings from God and to be enjoyed? 8. Is the preacher right when he says, 'Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless!'? 9. How is it that music can penetrate heart and mind in one person, and leave the next totally indifferent? 10. Can we ever really be sure of our thoughts and intentions until we extract ourselves fully from certain situations?  

So many things in this life are uncertain. Jobs, relationships, financial situations, moods. I take comfort in the fact that Jesus Christ is the same, today, tomorrow and forever. Never changing. And He wants me to be reconciled to God. This realisation is life-altering in the fullest sense of the word. This IS the meaning of life. I live not my own life but God's plan for my life. God promises that those who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved. Does believing in God centre in your life? Do your decisions and motives and time and energy revolve around this fact? Don't waste your life. 'Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain'. In vain!! Meaningless. I pray that my life is not in vain. Because if I truly believe the gospel, that Jesus Christ died for sinners and those who don't believe are going to hell, then how could I build my life on anything else but that?? Not even music!  

This is why I'm pretty passionate about Titus 2, and women training younger women and children. I think that some married women are pursuing career over building God's kingdom. Can you imagine what women could do for the gospel if all married women quit their jobs (or went part time)? There would be NO shortage of scripture teachers like there is now. The relationships in our church would grow and nurture because no-one would be 'too tired' after a full week of work. Women would have time to meet up with other women and fellowship with each other. I don't just mean catch up. I mean train each other in the gospel. Sit down and read a passage of scripture, talk about it, pray about it, figure out how to spread this awesome gospel that God has given us. Be involved in youth groups! Encourage each other to submit to their husbands,to love their children, to love God's people! For support when times are tough. 

Are we too busy planning our careers that we forget that women and men are different? Of course women feel a tension about doing full-time work and being mums! It was never meant to be that way! I don't think the stereotype of the 'career-woman' is a biblical principle. Yes, the Proverbs 31 woman is industrious, buys shares, etc, etc. But her main role is in looking after her family.

Of course, there are more questions that arise out of this. I'd love your thoughts. I truly believe this is the way God structures our relationships so that the gospel is number 1. I wonder if we have compartmentalised our lives to the point that we believe in God and trust in Him and do all these great events for him, but our lifestyles aren't actually promoting mission.  

So, yes, I'm a big fan of thinking, because too often we fall into society's thinking and don't realise our intentions or motives for doing things. If our intentions aren't to honour God, then our lives aren't pleasing Him. Surely living a Godly life should be our deepest motive.