Steve writes:
As a church we have been focusing on Philemon, a book which reminds us that
Building the Kingdom is about how we relate and forgive and love in our
homes and workplaces.
To help us remember this, we have a home at the front of the
church. And we were given a little home to take home. Each home had
questions, based on the book of Philemon, that I hoped would prove useful
for us in applying Building the Kingdom practically.
Someone asked me to provide an example of what it means to
answer the 8 questions. So at the risk of being personal, here is what I
wrote:
When did I first become aware of grace in my story? The day I ran across a
bonfire, as a child, ashes still hot, and escaped without burnt feet.
How has grace changed the way I think and act? I tend to suffer from
self-doubt, and grace keeps reminding me that I am made in the image of God.
What would a grace-filled community look like? A whole lot of people secure
in their God-image would treat themselves and the people they meet as God's
image bearers. That would be radical in our world today.
What is my particular life gift? Creativity (although I never considered
myself creative growing up).
How have I discerned this? By learning to listen to the Spirit and to take
risks.
How is your gift guarded? A key for me is finding people I know will give me
honest feedback. I also have to watch I don't take criticism too personally,
because combined with self-doubt, it would stop me using my life-gift of
creativity.
What practices form me in the finding of grace? Here are four that are
important to me at the moment. First, I have been reading Psalm 139 and
Psalm 121 daily at the moment. Second, running because it reminds me to live
in God's rhythms. Third, journalling, as a way of recording and remembering
what God is saying to me. Fourth a wise, older person who helps me pay
attention to God in my life.
What time should I give? Regular reading of Scripture, up early enough to
run, airplanes to journal in and a monthly meeting with my wise friend.
That's me. How about you? How have you answered the
questions and applied Philemon to your life?