This is Part 2 of my report on our church's recent women's conference with Devi Titus on THE HOME EXPERIENCE (by the way, I recommend your purchasing the book!). I believe it is an important message to share...this is not the message the world will teach, for sure!
This week's report is on Devi's topic "The Also Principle"...you might say, what in the world is that? Well, it comes from a Genesis passage when Abraham sent his servant out to find a wife for his son (my sons' biggest fear!). Abraham knew a wife could undermine the inheritance Isaac would receive, and he wanted this woman to come from the old country where they had similar values in life. He wanted Isaac's wife to be a blessing, not a curse. The servant prayed for guidance and set out to find this babe...he came upon a beautiful woman and asked her for a drink, which she gave him. Then, in Gen. 24:16, she said "I'll draw water for your camels ALSO". Do you get the idea? She didn't just do what was asked, she went above and beyond! Of course she was the one and they lived happily ever after!
Rebekah was: responsible, serving, industrious, courteous, charitable, willing to share, hospitable, finished what she started and submitted to the authority of her family. Does that sound like someone you would like your son to end up with? Does it sound like you? Oh, I am so not an "Also" person...I try to get by with minimum effort...I am famous for "that's good enough"...from cleaning my house to grocery shopping! I don't want to be that way any more!
The "Also Principle" is defined by a willing attitude to do more than is asked of you; our character is to "do more" in our work and relationships, not "do less". Devi said if you apply this principle you will grow your faith, turn provision into prosperity, deepen your obedience and cause you to desire a more intimate relationship with God (all things Abraham wanted to pass on to his son and his family).
Do this in your work habits (stay a little later than is expected), your home (be more creative than efficient), your relationships (speak a kind word rather than a quick one), the marketplace (speak to someone in need), and many other places. If you want to be blessed - even when it's inconvenient or undeserved - go the extra mile, do a little more, not a little less.
By the way, do you know what the opposite of the "Also Principle" is? Laziness! We must confront this major hindrance in our lives, and not let it be what robs us of our inheritance!
Devi suggested you make a list of the areas in your life that are like a "stone wall broken down" (Proverbs 24:31). In a second column, list the "also" that you can add to begin buildnig up the wall again.
I know where I'm going to start, how about you?
For further study: Gen. 24:10-26, Psalm 128:2, Proverbs 6:9-11, Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 21:25-26, Matthew 5:38-48, Matthew 25:21, Colossians 3:23-24, Colossians 4:5-6.
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
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