So, what about your life? We can consider scenarios of what leading a good life may look like. This page poses questions and statements for you to reflect on. The ‘Next Steps‘ section then looks at how we can apply this in practice!
Statements
What do you think of the statements below?
- I can keep my anger and insults towards others in check
- I try and make up with people I have fallen out with, rather than retaliating
- I don’t often get distracted by thinking about things I want, like people and possessions.
- I don’t begrudge helping people
- Other people would say that I am compassionate and kind
- I donate (time or money) to good causes, without shouting about it
- I take time to be quiet. I give God thanks for the things I have
- I say sorry for things I have done wrong.
- Everyone has a name and a story – even those who society would consider to be lost causes or different
- Being peaceful doesn’t mean being walked over
- Taking an unpopular stance doesn’t always mean it is wrong
- Worrying doesn’t make a difference
- Worship can take many forms, like appreciating a sunset. It is not something that only happens in a religious building
- Fairness means we all get the same result in the end
- Not agreeing with someone about something doesn’t mean you can’t get along with them
Questions
What do you think of the questions below?
- Do you ever find yourself facing a situation in which following the light in your life looks like the most difficult way? What are your options to do so? What do your friends or peers think?
- Imagine everyone in the world was blind. How differently might we all act towards one another? To what extent does how you act reflect who you truly are?
- When you look around, do you see, hear or feel things that have gone unnoticed?
- What does freedom mean to you? What is freedom in terms of leading a good life?
- Have difficult circumstances in your life taught or shown you anything? For instance, have any life events turned out unexpectedly well?
- Should life always be easy?
- Do you have hope?
- If something concerns you, do these thoughts linger, or can you let them go?
- How do you feel if you aren’t in control of things?
- What does praying mean to you?
- Consider your possessions – how do you feel about them? Do they all make you happy? But do you feel pressure to buy things?
- What are your priorities, and so what is of true value to you?
- If someone does something wrong or makes a mistake – how do you feel? Do you feel angry, or do you feel sorry for them?
- Why should relationships be taken seriously? Is there pressure to be in a relationship?
- Can you keep your cool in an argument, or do you get emphatic?
How about going a bit deeper?
- Are you able to handle anger peacefully?
- What sort of temptations do you face?
- What assumptions do you make, rather than seeking facts?
- Do you have good health and well-being, and so do you think of those who don’t?
- What do you think of children and young people?
- What part are you playing in life, and therefore how do you spend your time?
- Are you afraid of dying?
- What does authenticity mean to you, and therefore what do your words and actions show?
- Consider any bad decisions or things that have happened to you – could you have done anything differently?
- What is your image and reaction when you think of someone who is sick, or homeless, or hungry, or imprisoned?
And don’t lose heart because of the people around you!
Stephen was talking to people about God but some people didn’t like hearing what he had to say. They stirred up people against him to spread lies about him. Their hatred got so bad that they killed him! Saul was watching this approvingly, and then followed their example by making accusations and threats towards other people who believed in God. One day, Saul was out with some friends when there was a flash of light – and Jesus, the Son of God, spoke to Saul! Saul was left blind, but a believer was then told in a vision to visit and restore Saul’s sight. Saul was amazed by the miracle and what he’d heard! From then on, he spread the Word of God – much to everyone’s astonishment!
When we fall out with people, we can try to understand and to be understood, rather than resorting to arguing or worse. We can let our lives be an example. But sometimes we then have to leave the rest to God! God may have hardened Saul’s heart as this built character and perseverance in others. But ultimately we can think of Saul as being lost (and who, after a time, was found by God!) rather than a truly bad person.