This past Thursday, we talked about directional living. In life, we use several tools to help us find direction: GPS, a compass, a map, and OnStar. In following that metaphor, we have our own Christan cliche concepts to find direction: going to church, reading the Bible, fellowship, etc. We discussed how these things really haven’t influenced or impacted the way we connect to culture and the world around us. Instead of these things we do FOR Christ, its actually our experiences WITH Christ that have had the most powerful influence on our lives.
Mankind is made of three parts: body, soul, and spirit. In the spiritual is where we find our inspiration, confidence, and core. Yet, through our body (effort, striving, working) and soul (education, planning) we tend to rely on for direction in our lives. We don’t connect on that spiritual level. We search and search for what we believe is alluding us and lacking in us. Things like joy, peace, wisdom, power, beauty, love, influence, kindness and acceptance. However, in all reality, what we are searching for is already inside of us. (2 Peter 1:2-11) There’s a divine nature in all of us.
As the saying goes, “We imitate those with whom we associate”. The more time we connect in intimacy with Christ, the faster and more effortlessly we’ll become like him. (Galatians 5:22; Proverbs 4:23) Say it with me: “Everything Christ is, I AM!” It is all about you recognizing your true self, your identity - that identity is in Him.
How is your life different when you see yourself in this fashion?
What opportunities will present themselves?
What relationships will improve?
Comments (2)
Well stated Bekah! I know that, for me, I’ve become more confident in how I approach people and situations. In particular, my marriage would not be growing like it has if I didn’t connect like this. I’ve become less selfish, less prideful and less arrogant. At the same time, I’ve transformed into a more patient and kinder fella. Though I haven’t totally arrived, my life has been rocked!
As I have begun to grasp this, I have begun to exude more self-confidence. I’ve been told lies my whole life about who I am, and I have come to realize that I don’t have to accept those lies- that I am a testimony of my own will. And with that, I don’t have to accept those things other people have spoken over my life, because they don’t line up with who God says I am. It allows me to be more comfortable with who I am, and allows me to be more outgoing towards other people. This is something I have really started to grasp recently, and it is a freeing experience.