Wednesday, November 4, 2015

One of These is not Like the Other

Ephesians 4: 22-23 NIV You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Some times its hard to be different.  In a world where we spend a lot of time comparing ourselves to people who we think are better or maybe worse than us we get caught up in trying to be different than who we were created to be.

In the last few weeks, days and even moments God has been hammering this home to me.  I am not like anyone else and I am not better than anyone else and I am not worse than any one else.  I am me.  Just me - the one He created me to be.  My mind tends to run in circles sometimes making me look to the left or right or down to see who is the same or similar to me.  Who thinks the same or agrees with me or who isn't living life or expressing themselves the way I do or the way I think they should. 

The part God is really beating into me is that my only comparison should be to His character.  Am I becoming more like Him.  And although my relationship with God is just that - MINE!! I should be a reflection of Him to those who I encounter everyday.  I will not be perfect in this lifetime.  I will not stop comparing myself to others in this lifetime.  Because I am human.  I'm not Christ who walked the earth as fully man and fully God - perfect in every way. 

It really is hard not compare and not to judge.  Pride makes me want to pat myself on the back when I feel like I've got it and my self-esteem makes me want to beat myself up when I don't.  I should be concerned about others only to the extent to answer the questions - Can they see Jesus in me and how can I be Jesus to them?  How can I help them see Jesus - not in judgment but in love.  Not trying to convince them of my way or where they are messed up or hey look at me I'm worthy and equal to you even though I don't walk in the same circles as you - but hey - can I love you like Jesus did. 

So I hope that in this world, I'm not just like everybody else and when our paths intersect you see in me the confidence of Christ and the reflection of His character.  I've got a long way to go but He is showing me every day what I need to do different. 

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

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