GTADA ep9: Self-Actualization

GTADA ep9: Self-Actualization

To what extent should a Christian follow their own dreams and passions, as opposed to always seeking to supplant them with Christ's dreams and passions for our lives and our world?

Here are the links to the videos we watch at the beginning of the podcast:
     Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCzth7Vz_bM

     Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvtxOzO6OAE

Carl Rogers defined self-Actualization as "the curative force in psychotherapy – man's tendency to actualize himself, to become his potentialities... to express and activate all the capacities of the organism."

Thought for the evening:
To what extent should a Christian follow their own dreams and passions, as opposed to always seeking to supplant them with Christ's dreams and passions for our lives and our world?

There are many stunning examples today of men and women who have chased self-actualization - the pursuit unto realization of your dreams and goals.  We have all been given, in some way, the American dream - that through hard work and relentless pursuit we can achieve our dreams and goals in life.  Who doesn’t admire the small business owner, the self made man, the entrepreneur?

But then where is hope in Christ?  Is it possible to work relentlessly and tirelessly for your dreams, and yet consider it “garbage” compared to knowing Christ?  To what extent should we even try to change our position in this world, which is wearing out like a garment?  Is there any place in the Christians life for earthly ambition?  

Philippians 3 

7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith ina Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

1 Corinthians 7

29What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.