Sunday, November 8, 2009

*sigh*

I was going to share a recipe tonight.
I'm not.
Can't find it.
Got something more to share.
Tonight's message at church.
Title "The Characteristics of a Worthy Walk"
Colossians 1:9-14.
God gives our pastor so many neat ways of bringing out His truths in the Bible.
Tonight's message was simple.
Straightforward.
Point 1 was "A worthy walk is characterized by fruitfulness." Our good works are God's fruit in us.
But, I realized something about myself.
I sometimes avoid being fruitful.
Fruitful, as in God doing good things through me for others.
I shy away sometimes from what He wants,but not for the reason you think. I LOVE being used, I LOVE being loving to others in His name. I love it when I fell His leading.
EXCEPT .......when it draws too much attention.
I don't like a lot of attention on my "works" or "good deeds".
For one, it is NOT works that will get me into heaven!
It is through my faith in Jesus Christ.... not even MY faith, but my CHOICE; one choice on one day when I was 5 or 6 years old. THAT day I chose Him and nothing I do will ever change my status before God. Not my good works not my bad works. Grace. Not merit.
I want people to know that being a Christian does not mean I HAVE to do lots of "good stuff", love lots of "unlovely people" or live in guilt over all the things I do wrong on a daily basis.
But back to my point.
I avoid standing out.
I just don't like the attention.
If you know my daddy...... you know where I get this.
Ugh.
But He has called me to stand out.
To do.
To love.
To smile.
To shine.
To beam.
To live His peace.

And He wants me to get noticed. Not for my glory but for His.
THAT is a problem too, I want Him to get the glory. HE makes me want to do, to love, to smile, to shine. He makes it EASY at time, He gives me strength to beam when it is hard.

I am more shy than yall think. Open, but shy. Does that make sense?

Pastor explained that while we are not saved by works, HE HAS STILL CALLED US TO GOOD WORKS.

He brought up the famous passage on works, Ephesians 2:8-9
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.


And then pointed out the very next verse:

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

What a joy to be His workmanship, created to shine for Him! I love it, I do! Really. I just don't want people to think it is me. I want them to know it is Him. All Him.

Good stuff, huh?



2 comments:

jenni said...

Good stuff indeed. I do believe that this post was very fruitful!:)

ShannonK said...

You radiate this JOY every minute of you life, Beth! It comes beaming out of your smile and your thoughtfulness. =)