about ideals...
July 25, 2003
amanda got me thinking about ideals over the past week, when she asked me about it on monday: are ideals good or bad? and so my conclusion is the latter option. i believe that ideals do not benefit us for several reasons:
1) it takes our eyes off of God and onto our own desires. think about the word ideal. dictionary.com defines it as the following: "1. A conception of something in its absolute perfection. 2. One that is regarded as a standard or model of perfection or excellence. 3. An ultimate object of endeavor; a goal. 4. An honorable or worthy principle or aim." it's a conception of something in its absolute perfectoin - but what makes the conception? our own minds! we envision the things to be the best for us.
2) by focusing on our own desires, our natural tendency is to follow hard after it. and the reason for that, is because we want the best. we want what's best for us. who wouldn't? if you knew the best plan for your life, would you chase after it? human beings desire happiness, and so whatever brings happiness is worthwhile. when you chase after something, you tend to put a lot, if not all your resources into it: energy, time and money. and your eyes are fixed on it. you can't see anything else but it. it's like you're walking around with blinders.
3) by following hard after our own desires, we lose sight of God and His purposes. you can't follow God when you're going after what you want for yourself. how could you see what God's purposes are if you're so caught up with your own stuff? it doesn't happen. it's polar opposites. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (matthew 16:24 [NIV]) you must DENY yourself. that means your desires, your ambitions, etc. you have to surrender it all to God. daily. by doing what WE want, we could totally be "barking up the wrong tree". God could have intended us to go in a certain way, but if we decided to go another way, we could be in a position that is far worse off for us..the reality is, we take RISKS when we chase after our own desires. God knows what's best for all of us, so it's in our best interests to seek Him first in everything!
so are ideals good or bad? you be the judge :)
Posted by Leo Chan at July 25, 2003 12:21 AM
