RSE. smyrna. #62. tennessee titans. nashville predators. color combinations to be recognized by others belonging to the same tribe. a symbol that they belonged to something, were a part of something, larger than themselves. as far as history dates, a personal demarcation designating allegiance or subscription to a team, belief, idea.
as christians, we wear our allegiance front and center for all to see, too. although it may not take shape in the form of a church tee or a name badge, it is represented publicly through our words and our actions. we must be mindful that what we represent is true of the nature of Christ, and not bringing him bad publicity. because no one wants to be part of a losing team.
there are times i seriously doubt that Christ's love is showing through the words i'm speaking (or often times, the words i'm choosing to sit silent behind). friends (rhiannon; because i am talking to myself here, too), challenge yourself to change the world. to start, change your world. change how you respond, how you act. what you might talk about or how you might say something. start with changing your thoughts. center them around bringing glory to the Lord, and in turn, you will see your words and actions begin to match. you will begin to operate out of love for God, in the love of God.
as of recently, i feel as if the Lord has been laying a heavier conviction on my heart for this part of life. its not about making sinful choices, or living a life of sin and destruction. its about choosing to take the high road, about giving generously of my time and resources. it's about not having to be recognized or receive the credit when i've done something that's gone unnoticed. it can be something as simple as choosing encouragement over making a joke of someone; speaking truth and life into someones life rather than making a mockery behind it.
what would we as christians look like, if we chose to put on love daily, rather than putting on our cloak of self-absorbtion? what would we look like if we wore grace and forgiveness instead of bitterness and resentment? how much further would we go if we walked in encouragement and affirmations and exhortations, rather than adding to the nagging joke at someone else's expense?
these hands are just as dirty as the next sinners. my repentant heart goes to the cross and sees what he has done for us, and is broken in knowing we are just that: a broken people. without him, we are hopeless. but as Paul says in Ephesians, "in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us." there is an eternal hope. not in that we can do better or be better Christians, but that through his redemption, we can learn grace and forgiveness. and if we practice with others as jesus practiced with us, what a world of difference it would make! if only we could begin to lavish grace and forgiveness and love upon others, we would begin to look more and more like Christ!
so, what are you wearing?
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