|
substance
Hello again. It’s crazy how time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was writing the last column. I hope all of you are doing well. I just wanted to start off this week by thanking all of you for continuing to visit this site from week to week. I pray that my words continue to bless you and uplift you and that God continues to do that work in your life.
This weekend, in church, my Pastor preached about being a person of substance, and it got me to thinking about my own life. Who am I? What am I doing for God? Am I “keeping it real”? How is my walk? How do others perceive me? Am I a true “Christian” or just someone that puts on that fake church smile from Sunday to Sunday?
I believe that we all have to examine our lives and check our motives and actions on a daily basis. We should go to bed at night (or like me, in the morning) asking God, “Did I do Your will today? Was I Your light in the midst of this darkened world? Was I Your salt to this flavorless society we live in?”
I’d like to say that I live a well-rounded, substance-filled life, but truthfully, I fall short from that many times. I strive for perfection, but I know I can never attain it. My Pastor says, “Our salvation is not built on perfection, but upon God’s grace and mercy.” If we try and build our salvation on perfection we will never be able to stand before God, because no one is perfect. But if our salvation is based upon His grace and mercy, then we can live a Holy life. Even in Bible Study last night we were talking about how there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1). God convicts us of our sins, but He doesn’t condemn us. We tend to condemn ourselves instead of turning to His grace to set us free.
Ask yourself this question, “Who am I when no one else is around?” I believe that’s the true test of character. What do you do when no one’s looking? I’m not going to say I always do the right thing when no one is around, but I do try to. We all fall short, but aren’t you glad He still loves us no matter what we do?
Many of you who know me, know that I love to worship God. I love playing my guitar and singing love songs to my Savior. Worship pours out from within me. I can’t help but worship Him. I play guitar for the worship team at my church. We’ve had some powerful services where God has moved in a mighty way. I love worshiping together with my church, but there’s nothing like being alone in God’s presence, when it’s just you and Him, all alone with no one else around. Sometimes I’ll be all by myself in my room, sitting on the floor, playing my guitar and God will just speak to me. His presence so thick that it seems like it’s hard to breathe and I’m able to just share my heart with Him one on one.
It’s in that “secret place” where He is able to mold you and shape you. It’s in times like those when God pours His love and His call upon your life, times when you’re broken in His presence, times when you put aside everything else and read His word. The Bible says to seek Him and you will find Him (Luke 11:9). How can we go about trying to do His will if we never spend any time with Him? How are we supposed to know what His will even is if we never hear from Him?
Substance. In order to have a life of substance, you have to put something into it. On my table, in my apartment, we have a candy bowl that we used to keep mints or candies in. I can’t remember the last time we had anything in there. It’s been awhile (hint, hint, Gabe or Celina, buy me some candy). In order for that bowl to be filled with delicious, yummy candy, someone has to go to the store, buy some candy, take it out of the package and place it in the bowl.
In a way, it’s the same in life. In order for us to live a fulfilled Christian life we have to put the things of Christ within us. That’s reading and hearing His word, having songs of praise and worship in our hearts, praying and seeking Him so we can hear from Him. If you don’t have anything on the inside, how can God use you? We all need to be that vessel that God can use. Let Him fill your cup so that when it’s time for Him to use you, He will have something to pour out to others. Let us be people of substance and always have a bowl full of candy for geno to eat. God Bless.
w/muchluv,
geno
|