What is 'it'? (part 2)

So, I've been thinking about this whole phrase "bring it". Now, I am sure if I was privy to the original conversations, I would know exactly what 'it' is, however, I was not. Still, using the word 'it' to describe something that you do not know much about is pretty inane.

And now I am beginning to see a whole other 'it'. An 'it' that involves one's personal attitude and opinion. So, when being told to bring 'it', they do. They have their opinion and attitude present and accounted for.

I have had some time to reflect on the whole 'it' thing, and quite honestly, I am still disgusted and perplexed at the same time. Like I said earlier, if I was privy to the first 'it' conversation, then I would know exactly what 'it' is. However, I was not, so I am left pondering and searching for 'it'. My searching and pondering has opened a sort of Pandora's box for me. And I do not like Pandora's box, because you never know what you are going to find, and usually it is not good. Well, this whole 'it' thing had been one that has resulted in good conversation, and heated ones at times. I have found that 'it' touches on several nerves. Now if 'it' is touching on a nerve, 'it' must be hitting a spot of heated contention and debate. Does the person with whom 'it' is a hot topic really understand 'it'? Or, have they twisted, contrived and diluted 'it' to fit into their own personal agenda? And when challenged about 'it', when they know how diluted their 'it' is, they become defensive and maladjusted. They act out in ways that are inappropriate and ungodly.

I have had time to reflect and to observe. Something I like to do is watch and listen to the people around me. I discovered that the 'it' in question is not about God, 'it' is about themselves. They are trying so hard to disguise their 'it' and put a Godly label on 'it', that they have forgotten what the original 'it' is. Their 'it' has become so engulfed and entrenched with their own ideals, opinions and attitudes, that 'it' is no longer recognizable. They have become so focused on pushing their 'it' onto someone else, to get them to bow to their pressure and ideals, that they have forgotten their real reason for being here in the first place.

Simply put, we are here to glorify God. Simple in words, difficult in practice and theory. We may try, at times, to glorify God, but we fall short. We start of with good intentions and then we begin to fall away, we become proud and self-sufficient. We begin to think that we have it all figured out and go on our own, leaving behind the reason for all that we do. We have become that which we have been trying to battle and defeat.

A few years ago, I saw a great saying on a billboard. It said " You must be the change that you want to see." Yes, it all starts with me. Self-centered, yes. God-centered, yes. How can it be both? Well, we need to search ourselves and look at our own intentions and reasons for doing what we do, for our 'it'. Are we trying to change those around us so we do not need to change, so we do not need to face our own issues? Are we trying to do the right thing, follow God's will for us and for our lives? How do you know the difference? By going to God, asking for His will for your life and the knowledge and courage to carry out His will. But how will I know? It takes not only the time to ask, it also takes the time to listen. Yes, listen. To pause and listen. Take a breath, slow down and stop for a moment so you can listen. Turn off the cell phone, log out of Facebook, turn off the television, put down all of the distractions around you and find that one place you can go to, the place where you can find peace. This is where you will hear God. And God will let you know His will and He will give you the courage to carry it out. God will give you the real 'it'.