A New Look and a New Attitude

A wise person once told me that writing could help you sort out your feelings and even help you get through tough problems in life (ok, it was my fiance-- yes, he is very wise). I can honestly say it has been a blessing beyond words that I wrote my last blog, "Peter Pan Syndrome." No, life hasn't automatically become perfect- and I wouldn't want it that way. Perfect=boring... and we aren't made that way. However, I have been able to really look at my attitude and what things have caused me to act and think the way I have been. I can already feel a change in myself since I wrote it. A few days ago I went from a dark brunette to a blond, so why not have a new and improved attitude to go with my new and improved look (I'll try to post a picture ASAP)!
I have two verses from the Bible that I have been clinging to over the past few days. Both come from the book of Ephesians chapter 5:

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

These verses have reminded me of a couple of very important things in my life. One is that Christ loves me more than I could possibly know. If I profess to be a Christian, which I am, and have a relationship with Christ, nothing on earth should make me happier than knowing that God loves me and sent Christ to die so that my sins can be forgiven and I can spend eternity with God. Why do I, and so many Christians, forget this simple truth so often? It is the most basic truth of Christianity. It is what we profess when we put our faith in Christ. Maybe we forget because many of us became Christians at an early age. Maybe we forget because we get so bogged down in everything else going on. Maybe we forget because we don't spend enough time in the presence of Christ and in the presence of people who believe what we do and can encourage us. I have a feeling it is a little bit of all of these. The simple fact that Christ loves me so much that He died for me should be enough to bring joy to my life for the rest of my life. The war has been won for me. No problems I might face in life, including death, are beyond the power of Christ. In fact, He is in control of everything, so even the trials I face are for His glory. Everything I do has a purpose, to grow in stature and faith and to glorify God. In the book of James it says "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2). No human is going to be perfect at this, but I can find comfort in the fact that all of the things I've faced this year are making me a better, stronger person in Christ!

The other thing that the verses I mentioned above have reminded me of is that others are watching me. Sounds scary, like a horror movie, huh? I don't mean it like that, not the stalker kind of watching. People who do not know the Lord are watching me, and other Christians. This is important because the job of Christians is to be ambassadors for Christ on earth. Christ did walk on this earth for a short time, but that was long ago. We as His followers are to spread His love and message until He returns. If I have an ugly attitude, one that seems beaten down and without hope, what are others going to think? Most likely they will think - "She seems to be feeling and acting just like me- obviously nothing is different about her, why does she need God, and why do I?" That is the last message I want to send to a world that needs God. I have a hope that surpasses all understanding, a hope that is still there in the darkest times. That's what I as a Christian want others to see. If I were trying to sell a product, a vacuum (for lack of a better example), I certainly wouldn't represent it in a bad light. I wouldn't walk around acting like I didn't do anything for me, it wasn't helpful, or it didn't work well. I wouldn't want to give it a "bad name." Why would I do that for Christ? If I want others to see Him as I see Him, then I have to remember that my attitude must reflect that hope I've talked about!

So, that's my little sermon for today :) Upcoming events-- Wedding planning this week, and packing for a MUCH needed week at the beach next week! Yay!