I love Jesus and I mess up! So many people think that as soon as you become a Christian that you have this infallible way of living this perfect life (or should be anyways). It always astonished me when people would look at me and say “Oh sorry, I know I shouldn’t swear” or they would say “Do you drink alcohol?” Sometimes, I would laugh and think ‘boy if they only knew how messed up I am at times’.
Jesus doesn’t make me perfect, quite the opposite. He allows me to see my imperfections more! Try holding onto that sentence for a few minutes. It could be life changing.
separation or stand apart?
I am a Christian. The word used to excite me; impassionate me and sort of make me feel like I had some amazing shield of protection on. Now the word Christian is more like a name tag to the identity of separation. Mincing words is not my fortitude. Extroverts get a bad rap, however the authenticity of my ‘bounce out/back’ thought processes has some value in our society today. So, on that note, if you are slighted by my opinion on the word Christian I apologize in advance. This topic is much bigger than this blog post for today.
flat spoons changed my life
Growing up in a household of family who distained the word of God; and would call themselves ‘athiest’ was not a pleasant way to grow in the faith. However, looking back it was essential to my strength. Most people think I was raised with a spoon in my mouth and bible in my hand. Quite the opposite. Finding a spoon or two at a young age, (before the age of 9), had been flattened by the hot stove in our trailer and mom quickly throwing it out as she did not agree with drugs at all. Some knives too seemed an odd color and shape since they too where heated on the stove and those too got tossed out by our mother. And the only bible I had, (until I was twelve), was the one I watched my grandmother hold while she rocked in her chair.
Well without giving you too many depressing stories of my non-spoon fed childhood, I want to carry on to the point of this writing today. I am a Christian and yes, I mess up. Do you not think that the devil knows when you are on the right path? He knows he cannot do anything about it! When Jesus takes over your life and your eyes are opened, the devil cannot close them again! But what he tries to do is getting you off that safe road and into the ditch!
the devils ditch
He doesn’t want anyone to follow you to Christ. The plan of attack foccusses on pulling you away from others, separating you and keeping your love and light away from others who may need it. Craftiness is the devils mojo, he is sly and will put the shiny things in front of you to distract you from God’s Truth. He does not want your light to shine unless it is to glorify him, not Jesus.
Well you may think I am crazy when I say I could be glorifying satan and not Jesus! My actions in my life have not always shone a light where people would see Jesus. Shocking I know lol (insert happy face emoji here). This is a reality of the broken world we live in. The devil wants to distract each and everyone of us to point away from Jesus and focus on the events and ‘shiny’ things I call them of the day.
don’t be snuffed out
My favorite song as kid was “This Little Light of Mine”. The other day parked at a stop light, pitch blackness around me I found myself quietly humming this song. Then, before I knew it, I was singing so loudly! I actually didn’t remember all of the words yet I kept shouting out the chorus over and over again! It felt so good. It brought me back to some fond memories of my grandmother. Her singing as she washed the dishes or rocking in her chair by the fake fireplace.
The LIGHT that God has for us to shine can very easily become overshadowed by the world’s circumstances or tragedies in our homes or businesses. These are the days where the devil wants to snuff out our Light and keep us in the darkness. I truly believe with all of my heart that the closer you get to the Truth, of God and His almighty power, presence and passion for our salvation, the more the devil wants to put us off course and throw us into the ditch.
The scripture says: John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying "I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of life".
ask, seek, you have nothing to lose
Now more than ever it is time to ask Jesus into your life. If you have thought about reaching out to God in the past, take the nudge. You can say a simple prayer from your heart to ignite this LIGHT I am talking about.
If you have never prayed before, just close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful, kind, and loving person named Jesus sitting waiting patiently for you. He wants to hear your voice. He is there! I promise, do not be afraid, He is waiting their for your heartfelt cries. Jesus wants to be the Light in your life.
Ask him today to take over your soul, your heart, your mind and life. He will be the LAMP that LIGHTS you up. Let Him be the one that gives you strength when you feel depleted.
take a risk; be taken over
If anyone reading this knows me personally, knows that Jesus took over my life at age nine. Out of a desperate heart, yearning for the pain and hurts in my life to end. He did. I was taken over in a sense. A hot flash happened (which does not happen to everyone I realize) and that was it! My eyes were opened and my strength was not my own.
I have no idea who this will reach; how it will be received but I am compelled to write these words. If you would like someone to talk with or pray with, I am here. I do not have all the answers, and I am sure there are more equipped people; but I will share and support with all I have to offer.
God wants you to reach to Him today.