Have we become arrogant?

Its funny, thinking about how people learn, many of us procrastinate. Others are diligent and get the job done in a timely manner, while others seemingly cheat at life. But one thing is certain, we often learn through punishment. The question is, when we become adults and life isn't going our way (or maybe it is) do we become hard to learning and prefer to settle with comfort and ignore what we are being taught? Are we overlooking life lessons?
I stayed up last night doing homework, saw the clock this morning, and rolled over convinced I couldn't get ready for church that quickly. I am stubborn, and have to learn the lesson over and over again... what am I without God? I'm powerless, I'm ugly, and I have no motivation. If you are Godless, is this how you feel?

Its been a while since I've opened up the Bible on my own to learn something new. To attempt to finish the New Testament. This is what I have learned... Paul, God's most devout athiest up until God showed himself to Paul, is warning the Corinthians that of all the guardians who surround us in Christ, not all of them are worthy of imitation. Some non-Christians are turned away for this very reason from God. We can't as a body in Christ let ourselves become arrogant. Paul talked of coming to visit in saying:

1 Corinthians 4:19-21

"But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love with a gentle spirit?"

I look like I am doing something important... writing this blog... but this is my way of analyzing my heart, and it is not "good." For the sake of my own desires to succeed, I have left God in the dust when he's the only one that can get me through it. I'm curious... where are you with or without God? And how much pain and struggle do you fight to grasp power? I'm also asking myself this question... For me, I am avoiding servitude. The longer I wait to join back with my loving Christ, the more I feel alone. Why do I feel alone? Because I'm separating myself from God. 

What do you hold on to?

After a moment of self reflection and a moment of reflecting on other's lives, I ask what do you hold on to?
Some very simple concepts are trickery to the brain. We don't cling to what is logical, we cling to something that is just there. For example...
We cling as easily to failure as we do to insecurities, falsehoods, etc. Anything that is most irrational we find comfort in blaming.
Yet I wonder... how many people look in the mirror and see the person God sees in each one of us? How many of us settle instead because we find the flaws in ourselves unworthy of anything more?
And how many of us can see genuine love and aren't blinded by the call of the world?

I can't say I think about this frequently, because God has opened my heart to be a little less self conscious, a little more accepting, and much more understanding in the last few years. I sometimes feel guilt for not feeling like I'm meeting expectations made by God and made by myself. When will we show face for Christ Jesus and except the beauty he has bestowed upon us to be a reflection of His greatest glory? Jesus doesn't expect perfection. He wants us to accept his compassion, love, and desire to bring happiness and hope to the world.

A few verses I would like to remember:

How long will you men turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods ?

Psalm 4:2

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4 TNIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
1 Corinthians 13:3-5