Should You Trust Your Ding Meter? Posted by Maureen Lang

I had to smile when I read both Vicki’s and Jim’s postings here on Christians Read. Over the weekend my husband was telling me about someone he’d heard either on the radio or online as she discussed the elements of her self-designed faith. She simply runs everything by her “ding meter” and accepts what feels right and lets the rest pass her by.

Vicki pointed out that God wires us to do the things He wants us to do. In fact, her description of putting together a plot idea is a scenario I’m happy to say I’ve enjoyed myself. And Jim took the thought a little farther to remind us that the real bliss in life is when we get to do what God designed for us to do—that passion doesn’t come from duty, it comes from desire. Seeking the will of God is where the bliss Vicki talked about can be found, because He designed us with a depth of love that we can barely imagine. It’s little wonder we’re so blessed when our desires fit just right into the tasks He’s provided for us to do.

So what about the lady with the ding meter? From the moment my husband described her, my own little ding meter went off, but my ding meter isn’t something I fashioned by myself. It’s been honed by reading the Bible, sitting under the teaching of many pastors and professionals, by prayer and submission. I point this out because I have more than a couple relatives who listen to their own ding meter, one that is merely a shadow of the one God installed in them. It hasn’t been shorn up by the rest of the things God provided, like seeking His input, wisdom, or counsel. Yet they listen to this shadow more than they listen to the word of God. They define God for themselves rather than seeking Him through prayer, His creation and the Book He provided for us.

We’re all readers here at Christians Read; let’s start the New Year off right by regularly reading the Book that reveals God, the divinely inspired Book that is incredible in its knowledge of the human condition, in the prophecies it holds, the history it reveals, the science it reveals, the sheer beauty of it as it reveals God’s incredible love for us. That’s the only way to hone a ding meter!

I’m convinced that when we know God, more specifically when we know His love, the rest of life’s enjoyment—like all the good books we’ll read this year—will only be better because of the peace we enjoy knowing we were created by someone who loves us.

The One Thing by Elizabeth Goddard

Remember the movie, City Slickers? I love the part where Curly tells Mitch that the secret of life is the one thing. When Mitch asks Curly what the one thing is, he simply answers, “That’s what you have to find out.”

Have you found your one thing for 2012?

I dreaded saying goodbye to 2011 because, as I’ve already mentioned on numerous occasions, time is passing by much too quickly.  Still a new year brings with it the promise of new beginnings. This year I went back to the old habit of writing out my goals—something I’ve done in years past that’s produced good results—but  in recent years I’ve been reacting to everything life has thrown at me.

One of the most important goals, I decided, is to slow time down, or take life at a much slower pace. After I’d written out all my goals for every area in my life, I was overwhelmed with how much I haven’t accomplished.  My goal sheet didn’t lend itself to getting rid of the busyness like I hoped.

I want to be Mary and not Martha. But how do I make that happen?

Another important goal is to read through the Bible with my children. Every year I start out with great intentions, but again I struggle when life gets busy. I wonder if I’m the only person who hasn’t been able to read through the Bible in a year, or however long it takes, with their family. I’m probably the only person to admit it.

This year I started again, listening to Bryan on Daily Audio Bible (so I have no excuses!) with my children, and my goal, my prayer, is that I can keep this one thing even if everything else I plan to do falls to the wayside. In the end, nothing else matters except our relationship with God, and if I let Him, He will redeem the time for me. Right?

All I need to do is consider how many hours I spend reading novels (or writing them)—I could have read the Bible through many times alone, and at least twice through with my children.  Looking at it that way puts everything into proper perspective.

I can hear the Lord saying, “Beth, Beth, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (from Luke 10:42)

May your Year be filled with many blessings!

Beth

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of nine contemporary romance novels, including a romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—a 2011 Carol Award winner. Her upcoming release, Sheltering Love, releases in February 2012.