Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:25
A few years ago, a fire was lit under my butt when I realized I didn't know that much about the God that I say I serve. A non-Christian friend was posting anti-Christian memes that I found offensive because they were an untrue depiction of what I believe as a Christian. (Don't worry I didn't respond to my offence.)
This was a soul crushing hit to my ego -- humility hurts. I realized that I was a poor representative of Christ, not only that but the cold hard reality that I was ashamed of my faith because I knew it went against the regular flow of society. And I didn't want to stand out and have to stand up for it. I felt like keeping my faith for myself was the best option. I just wanted to hold onto my life source, Jesus. Not feeling the responsibility of getting to know him through His word but reading it on occasion to help me feel better about myself. I treated God as a genie, and the bible as a magic book. I was a very poor representative of God.
But after this encounter with memes on the internet, a fire was lit under my butt -- I am responsible. If I want to identify as a Christian, I better know what I believe, why I believe it and HOW to explain it to others. But where do you start?
In the Word.
I have been actively reading my bible over the last few years since that encounter. Waking up at 5am to carve out the time. There is a sense of responsibility and urgency that wasn't there before. God gives us the desire to know more, the more we make the time to spend with Him, the more He will honour our efforts if our heart posture is right.
No excuses, no justifications, just diligence and obedience.
The more I read, the more questions I have, the more my soul feels recharged, the more compassion I have for others, the more I grieve over the evil in the world, the more I desire to help others, the more I long for community and connection in His Spirit. The fire continues to ignite.
The truth is, we will never “have the time.” Just like an athlete makes the sacrifice to go to the gym, even on the days they would rather stay on the couch, we as believers need to make the sacrifice to fellowship with our God. And just like an athlete feels empowered by the physical and mental changes that take place from their sacrifice, we as believers will be empowered by the Word of God and the connection to Him that we receive as a result of being obedient and intentional.
You have to MAKE the time.
If you are not prioritizing time with God, how can you expect Him to speak to you on the days when you're struggling? How will you hear His voice if you are filling your mind with the clattering noise of this world?
Maybe you already have a routine, maybe you're in a season of draught, or maybe, you're like I was, and just wandering through this life with no recognition of the responsibility. Are you willing to do the work to represent Christ accurately in a world that focuses on the misrepresentation? It takes sacrifice. But the end result will fill you with the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Whatever season you’re in — start where you are.
There is no finish line, just a open ended opportunity to learn until the day that Christ calls us home. He will meet you in that process and offer your rushing waters of hope in the desert.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revolution of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
1 Peter 1:13-16
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.
1 Peter 3:15-16
Comments