standards...

I've been thinking about standards lately... yeah, standards. it's one of those subjects that could really bore you if your heart's not in it... but then again I'm finding that most things bore you if your heart is not in them. If life is boring to you I've got to ask: Is your heart in it? so one thing that I really love about certain individuals in my life... I'm talking authority figures here, is that they are not legalistic. you won't find them saying things that aren't addressed in the bible, or judging you in anyway if you bring them your struggles. I love those people that understand that standards really mean nothing if they come from another person and not from the Lord. and yet these same people have very high standards in their own life.

I looked up the word standard in the dictionary, there are something like 25 definitions for this word, I'll spare you the majority and only list the first five here:

1. something considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison; an approved model.
2. an object that is regarded as the usual or most common size or form of its kind: We stock the deluxe models as well as the standards.
3. a rule or principle that is used as a basis for judgment: They tried to establish standards for a new philosophical approach.
4. an average or normal requirement, quality, quantity, level, grade, etc.: His work this week hasn't been up to his usual standard.
5. standards, those morals, ethics, habits, etc., established by authority, custom, or an individual as acceptable: He tried to live up to his father's standards.

it's interesting to me that standards really are all about judging, comparing, and requiring... so is this what we are to do? yeah it is. in our own lives, it is.

Man I'm good at criticising sometimes, good at judging people, often for judging me.
great at comparing, and really good at thinking what things other people should make priority in their lives.

I think we are so good at it because God wants us to know what our standards are and compare ourselves to it, but like most things we focus a good Principal on the wrong area.

So what's my standard? what is the "norm" of my life? is it out of the ordinary for me to stress out? if not maybe I need to change my standard. Is it normal for me to disregard other peoples feelings? hmmm.

David says "for I delight in your commands
because I love them. I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,
and I meditate on your decrees." psalms 119:47-48

so I say, who cares what everyone else thinks, does, believes. God has called you to something specific. if you spend your time trying to talk people into your view, you won't get far.
I'm so grateful for people that have modeled this to me. a life of standards for the right reasons, and a love for people despite their choices.

good old Solomon:
"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14