The Six Realms of Life
I'm willing to bet that you want to bring the best side of you, not the worst.
How are you showing up to life? Are you showing up in a state of hurriedness, anxiousness, tiredness, confusion, or frustration? Or are you showing up with a posture of peace, confidence, love, graciousness, and excitement? You can either bring the best of you or the worst of you to an activity or a work meeting or a family gathering. It's important to pay attention to how you're showing up. I'm willing to bet that you want to bring the best side of you, not the worst. With the help and power of the Holy Spirit, it's up to you to cultivate your personal being so that you're able to bring the best side of you wherever you go.
I've identified six areas of life (which I call the "6 Realms of Life") where I want to bring a godly self to:
The Spiritual Realm – I want to bring a godly self to my relationship with Christ and to anything He calls me to do. I want a close and vibrant relationship with Jesus. And so, I connect deeply with Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, and contemplation every single day. I also want to work effectively and fruitfully for God's Kingdom when it comes to serving people and sharing the gospel.
The Relational Realm – I want to bring a godly self whenever I'm with other people. I want my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers to see the best side of me. I'm a living witness for the Lord Jesus Christ wherever I go and with whoever I meet. I want people to see me display Christ-like values and behaviors at all times.
The Physical Realm – I want to bring a godly self when it comes to stewarding my body. I recognize that my body is a gift from the Lord. If I take care of my body, then I will have the physical capacity to serve God best with it.
The Occupational Realm – I want to bring a godly self to work. I want to be able to do my best work for any company or organization that I am a part of. I want the people in the workplace to see my integrity and excellent work ethic since I represent Christ and it is Christ who I am ultimately working for.
The Financial Realm – I want to bring a godly self when it comes to how I manage my finances. I recognize that I am simply a steward of the money and resources that are in my possession. I want to be able to use these things ultimately for God's Kingdom purposes.
The Recreational Realm – I want to bring a godly self when it comes to my recreational choices (i.e. hobbies, traveling, movies, etc.). I want to please God with how I spend my time in rest and entertainment. This means that I must be wise with my entertainment choices.
These are six areas of my life that I really want to show up well to. In order for me to show up well in each area, I must intentionally and consistently cultivate myself in a way that God desires. Which realm of life are you working on these days?
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
