Despite popular belief being a Christian is much more than
lining hymns Sunday morning, and praying for those on the sick and shut in list.
It’s much more than attending meetings and ushering on the usher board. We know
it’s much more than that John 3:16 says “For
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” You must
believe that Jesus Christ is your personal Lord and savior. You must believe
that he died for your sins, he was in the tomb for 3 days, and Sunday morning
he rose. (The death, the burial and the resurrection)
Unlike other religions we aren’t saved by what we do, what
we do could never be enough to deserve his love or our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-10
says “For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest
any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I know you’re like well Destaynee, I know this stuff why are
you telling us stuff we know.
Well today as I was driving from work, I was wondering why
am I here (at this job). God revealed to me why before, but today he revealed
to me a bigger part of the picture. This whole time I was thinking I was only
there to be a light in a (very) dark place. As we are, we are to be a light; we
are also to be the salt. I admit I have gotten so weary, and exhausted spiritually
because of the battle I’m in. Talk about being on the front line in war. We are
ALL at war, Christian or not, you are on the battle field in this war who’s
side are you on? For the Child of God Ephesians 6:12 says “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” –Trayvon Martin’s mom
was right pertaining to the murder of her son when she said “this isn’t a black
and white thing”, no it’s not, its classic good verse evil. We get caught up in
the package that the evil is presented in; so we’ve created stereotypes and prejudices
and so we find ourselves going against a certain race, certain groups of people,
when this war has always been good verse evil. I think as Christian’s we need
to be reminded of that, especially with the recent events that have occurred.
We can’t become ignorant like some; we have to recognize it for what it is.
Evil is evil, it doesn’t come in one particular race, but it’s out there, and
when you see it act accordingly like a Christian, and pray!-
So I asked God why I’m I in a place that is spiritually
exhausting, discouraging, I’m disrespected not only by customers, but by the
people I work with, why must I be subjected to this. Then I remembered the scripture
I was led to this morning Romans 8:18 “For
I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Many people (even seasoned
Christians) forget that in order to be glorified with Christ, we are going to
suffer like Christ. We might not be literally nailed to a cross, but we might
be beaten and whipped with harsh words, physical violence, we might be betrayed
by loved ones, we might be put on trial by those that hate us. No we aren’t
Jesus Christ, but that fact that we follow him, live for him and love him is
going to bring a lot of strife from those in the world. Evil doers didn’t like
Jesus, what makes us silly to believe they will like us? The world screams they want world peace, but
when a child of God tries to spread the peace they have from God, they reject
it. The irony.
God also revealed to me the things I’m experiencing are to
make me a better Christian, to help me become more Christ like. It’s easy for
Christians to be Christ like on Sunday morning, when Pastor is going in on his
sermon, and the musicians are ushering in the spirit like never before. It’s
easy to be Christ like, in the home when it’s just you and God having a
conversation. It’s easy to be Christ like via the internet where nobody REALLY
knows the lifestyle your living. It’s easy to be Christ like when you’re saying
grace at thanks giving. But when you’re out in the world, dealing with the
people of the world, the systems of the world, the concepts of the world, that’s
when our Christianity is put to the test. Are you really practicing what you’re
preaching when you’re facing the evil of this world? My job has taught me so
much, not only about myself but about the tests of the spirit. Dying to
yourself daily, isn’t just something we say, it’s something we HAVE to do. As
long as you’re on this earth as a child of God, your spirit will be put to the
test. Are you going to walk in the spirit, or walk in the flesh? These tests
help us see whether or not we are bearing the fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:22 "
This is why we have to allow God to transform us. When I
tell people how I used to be, they never believe it. I had a slick mouth; I
could destroy someone’s feelings in one sentence. But I have a redeemer named
Jesus Christ. I have a God that loves me so much he’s taken the time to renew
my mind my spirit and transform me. I’ve been delivered from my old self, but I
have to guard my heart still. Yes I still get angry, but I know I could NEVER
allow myself to get angry enough to want to hurt someone with my words (I’m so
far from the person I used to be), so when situations like that arise, I remove
myself from the situation, or I tell my flesh to have ALL the seats and walk in
the spirit. It’s not always easy but times like this shows how set apart
from the world we really are. Times
like these show us whose side are we really on. It also takes humbling yourself
to be able to walk away or to react accordingly. A lot of times people are so
prideful and they don’t want to be “shined” on, well Jesus was very humble, we
must also humble ourselves.
I just wanted to encourage someone that might be in a
situation that is very discouraging and very trying and testing of your faith.
You’re not alone! I’m rocking with you, and we will get through this.
Understand that there really is a reason for everything. Don’t be afraid to ask
God the reason and purpose behind the reason why you might be at a certain job,
or in a certain living situation or financial situation or whatever the case maybe.
I ask God why I’m in situations because I don’t want to miss the lesson, I’m
supposed to be learning and I don’t want to miss what he has me there to do. There
is nothing wrong with asking God questions.
Just know that sometimes the things we are facing or
experiencing are helping us become more Christ like. Every day, somewhere
someone on Christian twitter tweets “I wanna be more like you God, I wanna be
more Christ like” Understand that you are going to be put to the test. Your
fruits will definitely be revealed, and if you are lacking in a certain area
God will reveal it to you. Make sure you are humble enough to receive the
correction.
This Christian journey is fun, but its work. I love when God
takes the time to reveal things to us, so that we can see it with our spiritual
eyes and not our carnal eye’s. Once he does that, we can pray accordingly, we
can react and move accordingly. God truly does give us everything we need in
this spiritual battle; we just have to use it properly!
If you love someone tell them
I love you
Destaynee
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