Shine On part 1
It didn't take me very long to get stuck on a theme. And that theme is the light of the world. That light that is life. The light that Jesus is... and the light that we are! So here's my thought for today: A star doesn't try really hard to shine. A star shines... because it's a star. It's not what you do, it's who you are that defines you. Who you are in Christ. Who Christ is in you. Your identity. Your TRUE identity. I'm so sick of this idea where we have to try to be someone we're not just because we're "Christians." That, to me, is ridiculous. And impossible. Because watch this: If I'm not good enough, and I have to try really hard to be better, then I'm doomed to failure. Because I wasn't good enough to start with. It's like we used to say at one of my old jobs: That's like starting at the bottom and working your way down. Luckily, there's a "But God" coming. But God doesn't see us that way. He doesn't see as a not good enough. He looks at us and He sees Jesus. He looks at Jesus and He sees us. He sees us glorified, and sanctified, and perfected. He sees us holy and whole. He presented us to Himself as a bride without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing. In other words: The work is finished! Our part--if we want to work the work of God--is simply to believe. Because when we believe (and confession is a HUGE part of believing) He manifests. To us, and in us, and through us, and as us! What you believe is what defines your reality. You can believe the world, and walk by sight, and stumble and fall... or you can believe the Word, and walk by faith, and let Jesus hold you up! Let me give my verse for today: 1 Corinthians 7:17, "But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches." Do we get it yet? As God has distributed and called you... (as Steven Tyler would say) walk this way! Be who you are! This is so important I'm going to say it again with all caps: BE WHO YOU ARE!!!! You are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made you on purpose, by purpose, and for purpose. And He made you... YOU. He didn't make you less than and then expect you to "pull yourself up by your bootstraps." He gave you gifts, and passions, and talents, and ideas. And He put you right where He wanted you. (I'm not saying you'll stay where you're at forever, because life is a journey, and while everlasting life is by definition an everlasting journey, I'm simply saying stop trying to FINISH the journey and instead ENJOY the journey!) You can't enjoy anything if you're jumping through hoops and doing religious calethstentics trying to be some vague, impossible idea of "a good Christian." The word "Christian" means "Christ-like," right? So you either are or you aren't. You can't kind of sort of partake of the Divine Nature. You can't be a little bit full of the Holy Ghost. And the good news is... you ARE like Him. You ARE full of Him. Filled to overflowing. And the more you know what's in there, the more it (He) comes out all on His own. So just be you. Do what you do. Do it in love. You're a star--the SON, get it?--so shine on!