I started following Donald Miller on Twitter yesterday. I think he is really funny and says some pretty profound stuff. And I'll admit, I have a small crush on him. Now of course this crush is the distant, "I'm intrigued by you" kind. I don't really know him, so have no clue if it would stick once I got to know him. I actually met him once and had a very short conversation with him. I wish I could report that it was love at first sight, and he has been searching for me ever since. But... the truth... it was completely awkward and I left either no impression on him or one that I hope he forgets :)
I have not read his latest book about writing the story of our lives. It is now in my shopping cart on Amazon. But I stumbled across his contest to win to tickets to come to his conference. You are suppose to write a blog entry "telling us about the story you want to live." At first I got a little excited...
1) I love the idea that we all have a story and that God is the author of it.
2) I do love learning and think any conference I attend will stretch and grown me.
3) I do like the Northwest and it would be beautiful in September. AND I need a real vacation at some point this fall.
4) One of my college roommates lives there and I would love to meet her son.
5) Maybe, just maybe I could actually talk to him again and leave a different impression.
I have not read his latest book about writing the story of our lives. It is now in my shopping cart on Amazon. But I stumbled across his contest to win to tickets to come to his conference. You are suppose to write a blog entry "telling us about the story you want to live." At first I got a little excited...
1) I love the idea that we all have a story and that God is the author of it.
2) I do love learning and think any conference I attend will stretch and grown me.
3) I do like the Northwest and it would be beautiful in September. AND I need a real vacation at some point this fall.
4) One of my college roommates lives there and I would love to meet her son.
5) Maybe, just maybe I could actually talk to him again and leave a different impression.
6) AND I love the idea of the little box... creative and suspicious!
But then I read the "tip" section and I know that I would not win. He talks about a movie, and the main character, and the conflict. And it sorta goes over my head. But it did get me to thinking...
What do I want my story to be the rest of this year? Mostly the bottom line... I don't plan to far in advance. I try to take my life one day at a time, asking the Lord what He wants. Where does He want me to go, to do? Who does He want me spending time with? I try to be sold out to His purposes.
But then I read the "tip" section and I know that I would not win. He talks about a movie, and the main character, and the conflict. And it sorta goes over my head. But it did get me to thinking...
What do I want my story to be the rest of this year? Mostly the bottom line... I don't plan to far in advance. I try to take my life one day at a time, asking the Lord what He wants. Where does He want me to go, to do? Who does He want me spending time with? I try to be sold out to His purposes.
And then the movie thing crept back into my head. Donald, which sounds weird, so Mr. Miller talks about the main character, which of course in my story would be me.
And then there is what the character wants. And what do I want? I want to love God with all my heart. I want to live each day doing what brings Him the most glory. I want to give Him my first fruits. I want to know His word better. I want to know Him better.
And then I want to love others well. I want to be compassionate. I want to love them in a way that helps them know how much God loves them. I want to get past my fears and share truth with all those I come in contact with.
I want to live my life authentically, passionately, and courageously. I want to make a difference.
The next part he talks about is the conflict. What is keeping the main character of from getting to what they want. And the answer is the main character. Seems kinda like a funny movie. My flesh too often takes over. I get in the way of what God wants. I let fear and insecurity rule instead of trusting God to move through me. I get prideful, thinking I can do this and run off on my own. I'm the one that gets in the way. I'm in conflict with myself.
And the bottom line... this is remedied by surrender. Surrendering my time and my "wants" over to the Lord. By giving the Spirit room to work in me. By making Him my number one priority. And so...
The story continues. I will get up earlier and spend time with Him. I will get back in gear on my scripture memory. I will commit again to make Him first.
Unfortunately... these last lines will be like a never ending rerun of an old movie. I won't ever get it perfectly here. BUT... I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"
And then there is what the character wants. And what do I want? I want to love God with all my heart. I want to live each day doing what brings Him the most glory. I want to give Him my first fruits. I want to know His word better. I want to know Him better.
And then I want to love others well. I want to be compassionate. I want to love them in a way that helps them know how much God loves them. I want to get past my fears and share truth with all those I come in contact with.
I want to live my life authentically, passionately, and courageously. I want to make a difference.
The next part he talks about is the conflict. What is keeping the main character of from getting to what they want. And the answer is the main character. Seems kinda like a funny movie. My flesh too often takes over. I get in the way of what God wants. I let fear and insecurity rule instead of trusting God to move through me. I get prideful, thinking I can do this and run off on my own. I'm the one that gets in the way. I'm in conflict with myself.
And the bottom line... this is remedied by surrender. Surrendering my time and my "wants" over to the Lord. By giving the Spirit room to work in me. By making Him my number one priority. And so...
The story continues. I will get up earlier and spend time with Him. I will get back in gear on my scripture memory. I will commit again to make Him first.
Unfortunately... these last lines will be like a never ending rerun of an old movie. I won't ever get it perfectly here. BUT... I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"
Here is a link to the conference site... www.donmilleris.com/conference
Here is a link to the contest if it interests you...
http://donmilleris.com/2010/07/15/win-a-trip-for-two-to-portland-for-the-living-a-better-story-seminar/
http://donmilleris.com/2010/07/15/win-a-trip-for-two-to-portland-for-the-living-a-better-story-seminar/
And the video explaining the conference...
Living a Better Story Seminar from All Things Converge Podcast on Vimeo.
Photo found on google images.
I love the book, I love your blog post, I think you need to enter said contest. I'll loan you my copy of the book, underlines and notes to myself and all.
ReplyDeleteIn the book the conflict is all of those fears, issues, worries and doubts that keep you from stepping out and doing and saying those things we are often afraid to do...
...moving across the country, leaving a job or place or relationship because it is the right things to do, but yet we aren't totally comfortable with what might happen...speaking truth when no one else wants to.
the conflict is the risk in being vulnerable, getting rejected, hurt, failing...
we don't want to lose face so we avoid the conflict...
OK, late and I am waxing philosophy way past my bedtime.
Enter the contest!