Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CHILL (10/27/16)
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TITLE: Should We learn to �Chill� For Our Faith ? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert Crutchfield
11/02/16 -
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In this newer meaning, the word chill can also mean to relax, to take your time. Our world these days is all rush rush rush, hurry hurry hurry, now now now. But is this the only way, or the best way we should approach the spiritual part of our lives ? I think not ! First, take a look at what scripture tells us in Lamentations 3:26, “ It is good that a man should both hope & quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” From this verse alone we see that in at least some cases it is to our spiritual advantage to “wait.”
Consider now what Augustine meant when he said “ Patience is the companion of wisdom.” From him we learn that patience and wisdom work together. It is not hard too see that the fast pace of modern life may be robbing us of much of the spiritual knowledge we seek ! So Augustine would agree, that we should learn to at least occasionally slow our lives down We should do this in order to spend time in prayer and with God's word, so we can truly hear God speaking to us and understand his direction in our lives.
One of the hardest times to “Chill” is when someone has done us wrong. At such times remember what Sir Isaac Newton had to say, “ If you are affronted it is better to pass it by in silence, or with a jest, though with some dishonor, than to endeavor revenge. If you can keep reason above passion, that and watchfulness will be your best defenders.” God through his word teaches us to take the high road, to be the better man. When other people, or the events of the day seek to make us less Christian, we should seek to “Chill!”
How are we to view the times when this world makes us anxious ? How do such times relate to our faith, and our confidence in it ? For this we turn to one of my favorite earthly inspirations, the work of C. S. Lewis. Lewis tells us, “Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ.” When you find it hard to be patient, to take your time, you may find it useful to remember these words of Lewis'. One secret to the ability to “Chill” is to see the things that would agitate us, as our part of Christ's passion. By conquering them, in his name, we share in His greatest work !
So to “Chill” helps us adsorb God's wisdom. It helps us to deal with people and events that seem intent on making our lives a living Hell. We have also seen that viewing life's worries as a joining element between us and Christ, instead of a dividing one, will help us in our efforts to “Chill.” So our answer is yes, we should learn to “Chill” for our faith !
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I'd urge you to not use too many exclamation points. Instead let your wonderful word choice do the exclaiming for you. Even though you were making your point about the other meaning of the word chill, I think you might be surprised if you go back and count how many times you use it. You don't need to use the word repeatedly or even once to be on topic, so don't be afraid to mix it up some.
Your message is clear and is a good one. We do live in a world of instant gratification, yet God clearly wants us to slow down and enjoy this world he created and to share his word with others.
Augustine paragraph has a too that should be to (I believe). Also missing a period in that paragraph.
Misspelling in last paragraph.
The whole idea does make one think about our busy lives. Good job!