It's a Beautiful Day, Everyday!
30 April, 2013
Have minds that are alert and fully sober as obedient children. (1 Peter 1)
The Christian life calls us to pull up our sleeves by holding firm in our faith. 1 Peter 1 explains that we are unlike the world; we have a separate lifestyle, separate thoughts, and separate boundaries. Peter explains that we must stay "alert and sober" to keep our eyes exclusively on the Lord, ignoring the luring temptations of society. The Word shares that we're all Saints on this Earth, allowing God to work through us to spread the message.
Sure, many of us know we're Christians. But, what about those days that we're just not "feeling it?" Those days when we don't love our bodies, our friends forget to call, our ex is dating someone new, or we have a fight with our parents? How can we possibly rejoice when we feel worthless and unwanted?
We've all been there, feeling so down and out-of-reality that we shrug off God and focus on our immediate problems, getting self-consumed with our lives on Earth and forgetting the everlasting promise of the Savior. We're only humans, meaning that these days do happen, as inevitable and unfortunate as they may be.
As I dove deeper into thinking about my occasional "off days," I realized that they used to be much more frequent. In fact, before I was saved, it was odd when I wasn't having "one of those days." I've only been a Christian for about eight months, and lousy days of insecurity, lack of joy, or annoyance have become less and less common each month.
But, after reading 1 Peter 1, I came to understand that it's not me that's living within myself anymore, it's the Holy Spirit. Jesus died so we could live as a new creation. Just like He died and rose again, I have died to a sinful lifestyle and opened my eyes to the monumental world of Christianity. I remember thinking "Wait, God is REAL?! He's really up there? He can really help me? He can really make me a new person and answer my prayers?"
Knowing that Jesus is working through us gives us the strength to overcome our worries, granting us the power to bypass problems with ease.
God asks us to be "alert and sober" so that He can use us. He can only work through those who are obedient to Him. Off-days do happen, and God knows that. But, as Christians, it's our job to see those days as a blessed opportunity to shrug away the grooves of evil, dust off the enemy, and re-light the blaze of zeal and Holiness in our hearts.
Gold thats been put into a burning fire comes out no different than how it went in, proving that its pure. Lousy days are like a fire consuming our hearts, and only those who are truly righteous will distinguish the flames with a heart still beating for their one true love, Jesus. We all deal with tests of faith, but through Him, I know our joy in the Lord will never be burned.
When you have a bad day, pray to the Father; He loves to help, and the enemy is no match for His love. Listen to His voice, and I bet it'll sounds something like this:
"Don't fret, my darling. You're exactly where I want you. Don't let the enemy slip you up. I'm proud of you, beloved daughter, and I want you to know that you never, ever have to worry about those bad days again. My staff will be all you need to walk through the darkest valley of death. You're my little lamb, and I am your shepherd. Follow Me, baby girl, into green meadows. Lie down in the rolling hills, listen to the waves of the ocean crash, and hear the bluebirds gently chirping in the trees. Know that I am in control. My Word is a shield from arrows of insecurity and doubt. My eyes can see your future, and by trusting in Me, I'll make sure that you end up right where you belong."
Grace and peace to you, brothers and sisters!
