I’ve often thought about this one question.

I need to answer this question honestly. My answers to this inquiry have helped to guide my life. When I take time to ponder this question seriously, the answers I come up with keep me on track to living a fulfilled life.

So, what is the question?

I’ll take you back to the beginning of time in the Bible to find this question.
Here it is in Genesis chapter three and verse nine. “Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (NLT)

“Where are you?” is the first recorded question God asked humankind.

It indeed was not a geographical inquiry by God.

The issue was soul-searching.
People do stupid things when they do not know where they are at in the present moment. When God appeared in the garden, Adam and Eve hid behind a tree. Hence the ‘tree hugger’ movement had begun! They were avoiding the question God had asked. When we answer this question honestly, we spy our actual reality of where we are at this moment in time.

Three choices.

It is surprising to me that many people continue to go on their merry way disregarding their reality.
People choose one of three ways when this question is asked of them; “where are you? Many do not answer this question honestly. In fact, some don’t even give an answer. Instead, people do this:
1. Ignore the issue by getting busy doing trivial things. Such as hiding behind trees.
2. Object to the person for asking such a personal question. They choose to shoot the messenger rather than considering the message.
3. The wise ones ponder the reality as it is at this time in their life. Honestly forming a soul-searching response to the ‘where are you’ which leads to fulfillment.

God spoke the question at the beginning of time, it still resonates down through the centuries to this very day; “where are you?”

To answer this question honestly, I need to take a reality checkup.

1. Spiritually is my experience on right standing with God?

2. Are my relationships with other people thriving and positive?

3. Am I using my resources wisely?

Summing this up; where am I at spiritually, physically, financially, socially and morally?

“The word ‘question’ originates from the Latin root, quaestio, which means ‘to seek.’ Inside the word, ‘question’ is the word ‘quest,’ suggesting that within every question is an adventure, a pursuit which can lead us to hidden treasure.” – Tom Wujec

So, God stands before you today; He poses the question; “Where are you? Will you ignore, object, or ponder this inquiry He raises? Or, are you still ‘hiding behind trees?

“Everyone who got where he is has had to begin where he was.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

The second aspect of this first question God asked is incredible! Think about it for a moment. God comes to humanity; His reach is toward us. God approaching us sets the whole narrative of the Bible apart from other religions.

Answer this question honestly, and you live a more abundant life.

I’d like to see your comments. Give your insight on this post. Did it cause you to think, where you are today? Did I miss something? Let me know. Use the comment box to write your notes. If you deem this post worthy of reading, please post it on your social pages.
Thank you,
Richard Armstrong

Woods picture by Valerity Andrnshko – Unsplash

Three decisions I made for a better life.

We all want to live better.

Am I correct in that assumption?

However, the thinking that occupies our mind is we cannot let go of the past. It is possible to release ourselves from the grip our history has on us. I looked at these three questions for lifestyle improvement, and I want you to know them. Making three choices for a positive turnaround freed me from my past mistakes. However, it continues as an intentional persistence on my part, but the journey produced a tremendously rewarding future. This life journey going from recent missteps into the present and to a brighter future was and is a spiritual and mental challenge for me. When I know what to do and do not do what I should do it puts me in a losing situation.

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.’ James 4:17

I’m sure we all desire to go from drifting through life to a more fulfilling lifestyle, am I right on that?

Then, stay with me on this, keep reading.

Three questions for Lifestyle improvement

A couple of years ago I wrote out eleven choices I wanted to incorporate into my life for growth. I made this list for myself because it is in these eleven areas I needed the most help. Today I am sharing the first three decisions I made for a better life. To know more about me, click here.

“When you’re through changing, you’re through.” Bruce Barth

I do not want to be through at this stage of my life, but a continual work in progress!

A look at the first three of my eleven decisions I made to improve my life.

1. Admit my mistakes

2. Accept reality as my friend

3. Acquire margin in my life

Here is more insight on each of my three questions for lifestyle improvement

1. Admit mistakes and correct as soon as reasonable. If not admitted, they will tie me to my past. I must take time to understand why I made mistakes, but I do not continue to live there. Not admitting errors might be a ‘man thing’ but should not be my excuse for admitting I am wrong.

2. Accept reality as my friend. The sooner I realize where I am at this stage of life, the quicker my problem will be resolved.

“Face reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.” Peter Koestenbaum

3. Acquiring margin in my life breathes freshness into each day. A book without margins is unreadable, so my existence without margin is unlivable. The margin I need is quiet time alone, money in the bank, time spent with my family and friends. There is a tendency to crowd my schedule with appointments and meetings, but I need some alone time. I’m not talking about ‘loneliness,’ no this is not idle time, but something very different and necessary for me to develop margin in my life. In Richard J. Foster’s book, ‘Celebration of Discipline,’ he writes; “Loneliness is inner emptiness, solitude in inner fulfillment.” It will be necessary for me to withdraw a few times a year to experience an inner peace that only solitude can deliver.

My hope for anyone reading this is for you to enhance your insights about lifestyle improvements by me sharing the three questions I faced on my journey in life. I will share more from my eleven questions in posts to come.

Write a comment on this post. I’d love to hear from you. What have you discovered about moving into a different season of life? Write your questions; this will help me in determining future posts. Please sign up to keep receiving these posts. I’ll appreciate that very much.

Thank you,

Richard