Be defined and bound by God alone and not by people. We don’t let anyone define our life. God defines our life. And even the closest people to us should not be defining our life—our parents, our spouses. No, only God is defining who we are, and we’re only bound to his definition.

Fr. Thomas Hopko

I was searching through quotes and scripture to see what I could find to enhance this Maxim even just a little. There are quite a few that touch on this idea a little.

One of those is Romans 12:2. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

St. Philaret of Moscow said, “A fish that is alive swims against the flow of water. One that is dead floats down with the water. A true Christian goes against the current of sinful age. A false one is swept away by its swiftness.”

And lastly, Matthew 6 is full of Jesus teaching on putting God first.

• V. 1-4 Do good to please only God.
• V. 5-15 Pray in secret and not for men to see.
• V. 16-18 Fasting to be seen only by God.
• V. 24 You cannot serve God and riches.
• V. 33 Seek first the kingdom of God.

I only paraphrased those sections. Check them out.

Let us be defined only by God. Let us only worry about what He thinks of who we are or what we’ve become. If we do this I think His light will shine brightly. His joy will shine through and others will want to know what that light is all about.

Have a blessed week!