Have you ever noticed how people on the outside think that we are a bunch of Hypocrites...They do because we don't live up to a standard of expectation that someone, somewhere along the way established.
Actually we have educated them by standing up and preaching about things that they shouldn't do...the only problem was we were doing what we were telling them not to do...Thus the reputation of a Hypocrite was born...
In the beginning of my walk it was about Jesus and that was it, but somewhere along the line it became about me...what I was doing or what I wasn't doing...I call it a performance based mentality...when that happened it quit being fun...it seemed like the harder I tried to change the less I changed...
I don't know how it happened but at one of my lowest moments...I learned something...this isn't really about me, it's about Jesus...it's not about me living up, it's about living in Him...
I found this great verse...Matthew 6:6 Message
Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play with God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
Wow...quit role-playing before God...quit making it about you and what you think you are suppose to be and just find that place in God where you know that you are accepted and loved...
Let Him make something out of your life and leave it at that...
Well it's just a thought, what do you think, what have been some of your struggles...
Labels: Life Styles
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4 comments:
What strikes me about hypocrisy is that often it is in relation to things that we might associate with shame. "I would never do that..." typically means in my life that I am either unaware that I am not practicing what I preach or to afraid to admit my struggle(s). I think if we were a poeple that did life together some of the misconceptions and assuptions of hypocrisy would be eliminated. That is to say that if we got to know each other, told the truth to each other, held each other accountable (in a friendship, relationship-building way)... if we could transform hypocrisy into positive opportunities. Imagine the applications and reach we would have!
For me on a more personal note - something that has helped me deal with surviving my son has been the williness of others to come alongside of me and share their experiences, their coping mechanisms, their truest feelings and thoughts. And in this journey - a lot of my personal hypocrisies have been exposed. But together we were able to help each other. I can accept compliments and issue true apologies in areas of my life that I would have otherwise considered "off limits (aka my hypocrisies)."
Great leaders I know tell me to first 'lift my eyes' (P. Anne) and 'let Him make something out of our lives' (P. Dan)
Awesome stuff!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this matter of hypocrisy. It brought me much needed encouragement at just the right time! God has used your voice many times over the past 4 years to speak needed truth into my life, so thank you. I have been asked to share my testimony with some youth at a Church in Osceola and I know this is part of God's plan, but I have been letting the fact that I'm not the "perfect" Christian make me second guess myself. Clearly the enemy at work I know, yet I was still giving him victory by even listening to his lies. You are so right when you say "Hey guess what, It's not about me!" It's all about Jesus!!! Thanks for the reminder! May the Lord continue to use your voice to speak HIS truth that changes lives for eternity!!! God bless you, your family, and your ministry.
So true...Thanks for sharing Pastor Dan! My biggest problem is that I need to make time to listen. In our world there is so much noise we need to let God quiet all the chaos so we can hear Him. If we let Him live through us what we say and do will have a much greater impact. Because I am sure that somewhere, everyday I do something that makes me seem like a Hyprocrite and I thank Him for that mercy and grace!
God is the only non-hypocrit I know. I'm glad He's always with me,he never sleeps or slumbers or goes on vacation, loves me unconditionally and never fails me, He is a God of His WORD, no matter how much I miss the mark. He is my everything!
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