Hello sweet friends!
How are you all doing? I've been well! The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and life is moving fast! I'd love to hear what you guys have been up to lately in the comments below! :P
I had many ideas for this months post, but something recently came up that inspired me to write about our need for Christ. I recently watched a video by a YouTube channel I enjoy watching (not Christian), and it was titled "How I became everything I wanted to be". Interesting, don't ya think? 🤨 As a follower of Christ, I was immediately skeptical about what the video would be about. And as I expected, the entire video was about this young woman's journey to finding 'true peace'. It's sad, mainly because I know she really hasn't. She couldn't.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to find true peace apart from Jesus.
But our world is constantly searching for quiet and meaning in life.
Just think about how many messages are trying to be sent today that say things like "you're enough", "just be you" and "go _______ and experience peace".
It's all around us.
Firstly, I'd like to make it clear that I'm not judging these people who search for purpose apart from Christ; they haven't been exposed to the Gospel, or they've decided to ignore the message.
But how do we find purpose in life as followers of Jesus?
The answer is right there - Jesus Christ.
He is the reason we live another day, fight another trial, and suffer for the faith.
It's simply Him.
And He's worth it.
I admit to not seeing this sometimes, but there are other times when I'm all alone, specifically in nature, when I see the AMAZING work of our Creator, and at the same time feel the distance between me and the world today. Instead of feeling out of place, I feel assured that I should be different. We are supposed to be separate; "a chosen people" the Bible says.
Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
So how do we become everything we want to be through Christ?
Well, first, find out what Christ is like. How can you become something if you're not sure who to become like?
Study the Word of God to find the true nature and character of Jesus. The Gospels ( Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are a great place to start. Each book is a separate account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Where and how He was born, His impact even as a child, and His life-altering message He shared to the world.
Next, seek him in prayer.
If you are a believer, then this is your most powerful weapon against the lies of this world. In Ephesians, the apostle Paul shares the entire Armor of God, an allegory for how a Christian is to prepare himself for spiritual warfare. At the end of the section, Paul writes, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." We are to be always praying for strength and perseverance to continue in the faith.
1 Peter 5:9 "Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
And lastly, just be an example to those around you. This can easily be the most difficult thing to do at times. We may be made fun of, or shut out, but we shouldn't be surprised - Christ said we would!
John 15:18-19: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Along with that point, I think it is very important to do our best to share the good news with those around us.
We are to be taking opportunities to tell others about the hope that is in us, so others can experience the same peace that we do.
We are commanded to do so in scripture:
1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."
So, in conclusion, how can we "become everything we want to be" through Christ?
1) Study His words in the Bible
2) Seek Him in prayer
3) Be and example to those around us and share the Good News with unbelievers
Thank you all for reading, I know this post was a little unusual for what I normally do, but I'll be back next month with another one for you all! I hope you all have a lovely day!
