Have you ever met someone that you greatly admired and then found out that they are not really who you think they are?
Me too.
Although I don't like to use this blog as my soap-box or anything that brings wonder and discouragement to people, this is something that's really been bothering me lately.
But is it really their problem or is it my problem?
I'm thinking it's mine.
But, I'm also thinking this is something you can identify with. Which is the goal of this heart of mine, to identify with you through the writing on here.
Sometimes I wonder what makes people tick. Is it power? Is it control? Is it pride? Is it arrogance? Or is it that they are not who they think they are?
Think about that for a second......"they are not who they think they are."
I could go about my entire life thinking that I am a natural blonde. I can pay major dollars to have these roots of mine tweaked to perfection to make me look the part. I can even act like a blonde (cuz blondes have more fun don't cha know...{smiles}) but in reality.....I am not a blonde.
In fact, I am a brunette.
I think that sometimes we think that to be real means we do a real good job at being fake.
And I do realize that there could be someone reading this blog right now who found out that I was not who they thought I was.....and, I'm ok with that.
Because lately I have really come to understand what it means to say "Jesus, I want you to change me from the inside out......."
Unfortunately, it's just not the outside-in deal that the Father is looking for. In order for their to be a real change in our lives it has to happen from the inside out. The DEEP place from the inside. The place where no one goes. The place where our thoughts stray and our minds wander....that's the inside I'm talking about.
It's taking every thought captive. Every emotion captive. And every desire captive. Grabbing hold of it before it takes over us and the rest of our lives.
But you know what I'm really coming to understand?
It's ok if we come to realize that we are not who we think we are.
In fact, I think it's a beautiful thing.
Because when we stop trying to be who we think we are and surrounding ourselves with who Jesus really is.....that's when change will happen. That's when victory will come. That's when hope is brought to full surface. And that's when His glory will shine through us.
See...God.....He's just not into a world filled with a bunch of frauds for Jesus.
He's not.
Really, in the book of Romans 12:15-17, He puts into words what He cry's out for in our lives:
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
I love the part that says, "as far as it depends on you". Because, in this life......that is all we can do....is depend upon ourselves to not be frauds for Jesus. There will always be someone in this world making a fool of HIS name....but for the sake of the kingdom, let it not be us.
Let it not be us.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
The Jesus Fraud
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4 comments:
I love your illustration with the blond hair. I'm a true blond and act like it (kind of not all there, if you know what I mean).
I believe that most of the population is more concerned with the image they project to others rather than showing who they (maybe I should say "we") really are.
I try to lead a transparent life, and I've often been told that I'm very down to earth. I'm not afraid to show most of my faults and admit how icky I am on the inside. People always look at me and think I'm some wonderful angel. However, I'm always quick to point out that my children could tell them otherwise. They see the ugly side of me.
Then, I go on to say that any good they see in me is only by God's grace. He turns the icky into good.
I think that's probably the best way to get people thinking about God. If I can readily admit that I'm so totally NOT a good person, but through God's grace I'm saved from my deplorable heart, then maybe they, too, can and will accept that saving grace.
WOW... amen sister!!! This is some good stuff right here!
I came to realize that I used to put people on pedestals. We have all fallen short, and when I remember that everyone is a sinner, I am less likely to be hurt when they aren't what they seem.
We all have skeletons in our closet so to speak, but if someone is intentionally be dishonest or a fake, that does hurt.
Let it not be me!
I definitely put people on pedastals. And I definitely spend way too much time on my appearance instead of working on me from the inside out. I am learning. And this post definitely had an impact! Thank you for helping me start my day thinking about God.
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