This past Sunday in church our pastor really talked straight to my heart.
He talked about how if we claim to be living in the Spirit, then we should be walking in the Spirit. Every single day. Our actions and words should be an example of the the Lord living in us. We can't just claim to believe, even the devil believes. We have to be changed from the inside out.
Ever since our miscarriage, God has been opening my eyes and working on my heart. I have been yearning to know Him even more intimately. I don't want to be a Christian that only calls on God when things go bad. I want God to be the center of my life every single day. We have to treat our relationship with Him just like a real relationship...it needs attention and time to grow and flourish.
The sermon this past week really made me think...what would y'all see if y'all hung out with me for a day? Most of y'all only know me from my blog. This is my space, where I can say/do/be whatever I want to be. But what if y'all met me in person. Would y'all see Jesus in my actions? Would y'all feel His love and mercy? Would y'all hear me gossiping or griping or just having a bad attitude?
If I'm being honest, I could say maybe yes and maybe no, depending on my mood, how busy work was, etc. I want that to change. I want everyone to see Jesus in me all the time. I want people to think "there is something different about her." I know I will mess up. I'm human. But God's forgiveness is new every day and He wants me to keep trucking along, growing in Him and striving to be more like Jesus.
I read this verse yesterday and wow...
Value others about yourself. Look to the interest of others.
That's hard for our selfish human nature, but as Christians we are called to run from our human nature and strive to be more like the nature of Jesus. We don't have to succeed every single second of every single day, but we should at least be trying. And we should be convicted when we do something that goes against that nature.
Lately my prayer has been for the Lord to allow me to see people through His eyes and with His heart. Every single person is His child and He loves them all, so why can't we?
Walk the walk, believers. ROCK the walk. ; )
23 comments:
I think that when we meet (finally!), I will see all of those good things in you. I see them now when we talk. You're so kind and caring and loving, and I feel proud to be your friend. And honestly, I wish I could be as positive as you.
GREAT GREAT post Megan. I am SURE I would see Christ's love from you if we met. 1) because I think we would have great discussions and 2) your smiling nature exudes LOVE!
I need to get back to Christ too. Not just in the bad times, but the good times.
What bible app do you use? Looks similar to mine, but I haven't signed up for any programs.
LOVE to you sister in Christ!
xoxo
So true Megan! We must strive to be more Christ like, and less like our cultural values. America has such an individualism culture where we are told to put value in oneselve instead of the greater group. Going against cultural norms is so hard, but I think that will be what sets you apart from others.
Your love for the Lord and your sweet heart shines through your blog and photos. Im sure that is how you are in real life too :)
I definitely can be better at this as well!
But I think we are our own worst critics, and like you said I know you only through this blog, but I feel the love of Jesus when I come to your page, you are bubbly, sweet & I have nothing but sweet things to say about you!
<3
Very good post. Thanks for sharing. I can definitely do better too. That's an eye opener. :) Hope you have a great day!
I just bookmarked some verses in Phillipians last night. In chapters 3 and 4 in fact...I need to go back in and bookmark these. they're so good.
Thanks for this post. I'm all over the place lately and needed this reminder. :)
Emily at Amazing Grapes
I love this ... I think we all have our "bad" moments and hey, that's what makes us human. But striving to be more like Jesus all the time and see others as the Lord sees them is admirable and a great thing to strive for.
you're simply amazing, meg!
i'm sure your faith and love for others shines through you in person as it does on your blog.
you truly are such an inspiring woman and make me want to become a better follower of christ. i adore these types of post. my heart smiles BIG when i read these sweet words! thank you :)
Preach it, sista!! My husband and I have been talking lately about trying to be a "light" in our often dark workplaces. So often it's easy for office gossip or complaining to come up and just to add your own to it, without even batting an eye. I've been really making an effort lately to be joyful in all situations and to not let other's negativity effect how I talk/act too!
Great post Meg :)
Every morning this week I've been asking God to help me treat people at work with kindness and understanding. They can be so frustrating!! I also try and remember to thank Him for little things like making random street lights. All in the name of trying to walk the walk!
Rock the walk...love it. This is so important! Such a great verse- we are to have the mindset of Christ and when we do, we will think of others before ourselves.
I love this so much, because it has been something that has been on my mind and my heart lately, too. Thanks for sharing. It gives me even more resolve.
This is so relevant for me right now! Thank you so much for sharing your sweet heart with us.
I love this post Megan! It's so easy to get caught up in not walking the walk.. and thinking about how other people might perceive our actions can be a real wake-up call to some of the things we do. Thank you for sharing!! :)
"Rock the walk" - love it! I'm sure you have already read it but the Epistle of James (especially verses 14-25) speaks to this - "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead". Sorry for throwing it at you but I just got done w/ a NT class and James is highlighted by scholars as the 'justified by faith and not deeds' book :)
"Lately my prayer has been for the Lord to allow me to see people through His eyes and with His heart." We just talked about this idea in my small group this week! This is definitely my prayer as well. I'm not what I would consider a viscious gossip, but I do tend to complain about others, especially at work. I'm trying to be better about that. Or rather, I want to let the Spirit move through me to be better about that. Because I truly cannot be better without Him. My natural spirit is to complain and gossip. But that is not God's way. And if we really let Him live within us, we will be like Him. In other words, I agree with everything you are saying. :) I'm so glad you are letting God speak through you on this blog.
what a great call Megan to check ourselves and to see if we are really doing what God calls us to do on a daily basis, live out the decision we made to commit to Him every day and do what His word instructs us to do. I need to think about my own walk for a little bit, my walk versus my actions
I'm thankful for this. This has been my heart lately, too. If you met me in real life, I would want you to see first that I love Jesus. Would you see that right this minute? I hope so. I'm working for that.
Love this post and this challenge :) Thank you for sharing, Megan!! You inspire me :)
I need to meet you. Just so I can hug you!
I know that everyone is called upon to embrace Jesus and accept Him as the path to salvation. However, you are so right when you say you can tell if Jesus is in a person just by how that person acts. I see Jesus in non-Christians as often as I see Him in Christians! In fact, I just told my husband today that it's a shame that the "Christians" at church are the ones ruining it for me (that's a whole other story!). But I suppose saying you believe in Jesus isn't enough; you've gotta show it without speaking.
P.S. You need to charge your phone :)
I highly doubt that anyone would not see the light of Christ in you, Megan- even in your darkest hour. You are one special girl!
Thank you for posting this Megan! It is exactly what I was thinking about this morning so what a fun (and convicting) thing to read that someone else is also going through similar thoughts! :)
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