Excuses, Excuses

Christians, especially young adults it seems, are experts at being lukewarm. We have come up with every explanation possible for why we believe one thing and live another. It really bothers me that we so easily accept God's grace, and sometimes even become an active part of our church community, but then try keep this whole other life separate from God. The Holy Spirit doesn't leave your heart when you leave church!!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God created an amazing and exciting plan for the life of each and every person. He knows how we can have the best life possible, but how do we expect to discover that life if we keep God in a little box labeled "Sunday Morning?" It doesn't work that way. Sometimes we blame God if our lives aren't going the way we want them to. Honestly though, how often do we ask God to help us make a decision? It's no wonder we make a mess of things so often! When we seek the Holy Spirit in our DAILY lives, every minute, every choice, every opportunity, we'll start to look more like Jesus, and that is what we are called to do.

One of the worst things we can do to squash the guidance of the Holy Spirit out of our lives is to act like everyone around us.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart."

We are not called to blend in with our surroundings so that we can eventually be accepted and then magically change people's hearts to see God. Don't use that as an excuse for sin. Not that we need to earn our salvation, but the rewards of living FOR God are so much greater than the fun we might have if we forget Him. We have been SET APART. We're born different. God wants us to live in such a way that everyone we meet just automatically notices something pure and different in us. Assimilating to culture just totally hides that.

One of the times that I felt closest to God was right after my TEC weekend this spring. I was reading my bible every night, and I had just come out of a weekend filled with hope and the love of Jesus. I had many people come up to me in the days following my return home and tell me that my eyes or my face were positively shining. I believe that's what God meant when He said to shine his light. Everyone should be able to see God's love in us all the time, not just when we are at church. Make people notice that you're different. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15) Be so full of that unconditional love, so connected to your Heavenly Father that people notice a difference in your eyes!!