I really had a moment of conviction this morning, actually more than a moment. Let me explain. For weeks I have been doing a LOT of complaining and have more than once been reminded to check my perspective and look at others who have so much less to give and yet still find a way to serve others with the little that they have.
I have let unwholesome talk continue and perhaps have even encouraged it. I have not acted or conducted myself in the manner that I wish to be seen. Instead of stopping gossip and toxicity, I have encouraged, inquired and continued it.
In return, my soul has felt empty. I have not felt God’s presence because I was not seeking Him with a pure heart. I prayed that He would give me words to share. I did my Bible reading and Scripture writing but as an obligation and I was not gleaning or growing from it. I sought the advice of a trusted prayer warrior who basically told me to just stop and be still. She even advised to put down my Bible, watch a favorite show or listen to a favorite song or just enjoy some time in nature. As recently as last night I told a friend, “I sure hope He gives me something inspiring to share soon.” My well felt dry!
This very morning my heart was strongly convicted when I learned the details behind a decision another person had recently made. A decision that had absolutely zero effect on me and yet my initial response was annoyance and full of questions regarding that person’s intent. When the details were provided I thought, “well why wasn’t this explained in the first place?” and then God said, “why does it matter if the circumstances were tragic or peaceful, should we (the Church) not respond in the same manner of love and grace either way?”
Since the beginning of time, mankind has attempted to pick and choose which laws, commands or words of God one should follow and then placed that opinion before others expecting them to follow man’s words rather than God’s. We impose our opinions on others and correct them (and not always lovingly) when they do not submit to our ideas.
Sometimes we need a strong reminder that as the Church we must behave as the Church by opening our homes instead of just posting cute sayings on social media about our doors being open and coffee ready. We must remember that this is not always going to be comfy and convenient to our schedules. I am convinced that some of our greatest blessings will come from the most unpleasant circumstances.
We must quit saying we are Christians and start being Christians. We must open our doors to be ready and inviting WHENEVER someone is in need. Our fancy houses and buildings are worthless when the doors are locked to keep people out or others in.
There is so much hurt in this world and so many broken people who feel they have no place to go or maybe they know where to go but they do not have the scissors to cut through all of the red tape. We must do better. We must be better. Our future generations depend on it.
Go today. Gather His People. Dwell with God and in His Word.
Verses for reflection:
Luke 21, Jeremiah 29:10-13, Proverbs 18:8, Ephesians 4:29, 1 John 3:18, 1 Peter 2: 11-17. 1 John 3:18, 1 Peter 2: 11-17.
Gena Christofferson 