On The Inside

Romans 12:3 (NLT) Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

 “I just want to get away from myself.” Have you ever thought that? I know I have…still do sometimes. I know people the other extreme too; they overly love and admire everything they are. While away last week, I heard this quote in a song, “Don’t compare the worst in them with the best in You.” – Laleh, singer. I did have to take a closer look at how I interact with people. I judge myself pretty harshly sometimes, and I know I judge others the same way…  I know I have judged others on their behavior/habits/sins/language…etc. Romans 3:23 is a good reminder that we all fall short of the Glory of God. Even the “best” in me is nothing compared to Jesus and His righteousness. The “worst” in me is no comparison to others either…I still have a “worst” and a “best” that is continually being shaped by God.  A Difficult Step

If I’m honest with myself, I would not know what to “get away” from. I know, for the most part, which aspects of myself are God-centered and simply who God has made me to be (they are the parts that I wish I could get away from sometimes, the parts that are odd to the world around me but suit me and feel “natural.”)

On the inside, I’m learning who God is making me to be and I know who I am In Christ. I’m willing to be refined and rebuked to Godly change in those “worst” areas but I’m not willing to compromise the parts that are already completely His.

So, how and what do I get away from…
I wish I wasn’t so sensitive to others’ opinions
I wish I didn’t love and care so much for others who can’t reciprocate…either because they aren’t around anymore or because that’s not how God made them – they just don’t think of things the same way I do
I wish I could hide my feelings – no I don’t…I despise fake and dishonest above all else…I couldn’t be that way.

So – I’m stuck not being able to get away from myself because I’m not willing to actually change the things that make me different and show my humanness. I’m quirky, silly, contemplative and philosophical…I don’t make sense to anyone but me and God.

Jesus gave me a great example in how to be content with who God has made me. He knew who He was and whose He was (John 8:28, 29, 14:25-31). I won't be controlled by my worldly insecurities but I will choose to place myself upon the wings of God and soar like the eagles on the supernatural security of my God. Step Out On Faith Therefore, I will continue to think of others and care about them and for them as Holy Spirit leads – even if they are oblivious to me and/or my feelings. That is the example of Christ. He loved us while we were against Him. He showered us with grace and mercy while we rejected Him. He did the work God planned for Him and walked confidently close with God for His strength and encouragement…I continue to pray for the faith to do this as well. I will also pray for you to be able to walk confidently and do the good works God has prepared for you and through you (Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago).

Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

A Gaze and Sigh

Lamentations 3:22, 23 (NIV) ...His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

I received this verse in a card...I think one of the ways I know love is through words. I keep almost every card I receive, the words (especially encouraging ones) of others give me hope and build me up and help me push on when life seems to be crashing...

This verse struck me as ironic and lovely at the same time. A verse in the book of "Lamentations" speaks of faithfulness, compassion and encouragement. It reminds me that even when I am "lamenting" the troubles of this life, God's compassion and mercy are new each day. I can be refreshed and loved by God always... He may not immediately (or ever) "fix" my trials, but He will strengthen and give me endurance to overcome my trials.

This is a great string of words too:
Romans 5:3-11 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

I sigh deep, resting in my Abba's arms. Here is the picture of HOPE, I am no longer under His condemnation but in His arms; knowing that He is before me, behind me and holding me during each moment - whether blissful or crushing. I pray you know the weight of His embrace and sweetness in His gaze upon you as His dearly loved child. Where I Always Want To Be

Psalm 27:10 (NLT) Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.