Discovering what love is one day at a time
I am about to embark on a weeklong vacation with my husband to the beach/city, and I am excited to spend time alone with him. I am also excited for great conversation, exploring, a plethora of different kinds of food, and people (not limited to, and not necessarily all in that order.) One of the things that I enjoy about going to the city is watching people, and starting up conversations with strangers. You can have some of the best conversations that way. I learn a lot about myself, and I am challenged, stretched, and encouraged. I also find it interesting to listen to others conversations in regards to political, religious and social issues. I love how different we all are! I love that we all do not have the same ideas, and we all do not agree on the same things. Life would be pretty boring if we all saw everything the same…wouldn’t it? The truth is, we will not, because we are all completely different, we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that is something to be celebrated for sure.
I love to hear the way people think. I love to hear all the different viewpoints, and the thinking process behind each one. Have you ever listened to a conversation in which the parties do not agree… and either one or both do not have the ears to hear the other’s side? They listen, but it doesn’t seem with ears to consider the others viewpoint. There is a struggle for control. It sounds like from the outside that one or both are trying to control the conversation, or have the reputation of “right.” Conversation always challenges me, because, I am walking through this life trying to make sense of the world around me to the best of my ability based on the example that Christ has set. His example is one of love, honor and value. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He became sin, who knew no sin that we might become His righteousness. Our carnal/flesh/sin nature separates us from a holy, pure, sinless God. BUT GOD. Because of His great love, value and honor for us, He esteemed us…who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. I look at that example… and I am blown away. So the Creator of the Universe that is perfect pure and holy…the One in whom there is no darkness at all, where there is no shadow of turning, no sin: esteemed, honored, and valued us and died on the cross for us. He certainly did not agree with, our actions, our thoughts and ideas, or our sin. BUT GOD… has not controlled us; in fact since the beginning of time, the Creator has given the whole world choices. He has set the example; He has given us the parameters and boundaries in which choices are good for us, and bad for us. He has never overpowered us in conversation to get us to choose His way. He does not holler, roll his eyes, clamp his jaw, become irritated or annoyed, call us names, talk behind our backs, or stop conversation or withhold His grace or mercy from us because we do not agree with Him. He has sent His Holy Spirit to help us, and His voice is that still small gentle voice that whispers to our hearts minds soul and will leading us in the way we should go, should we listen. He honors our “no” when we are adamant on choosing the way that is not healthy for us, even though it may not be good for us, and for others that will be affected by what we choose. I want what I choose to bring liberty to everyone around me. I do not want my example to steal from the beautiful and unique hearts around me. I want to walk in such a way that the honor and value and esteem that Christ has for me, would be evident in the manner that I live. That I truly would walk/abide in His Spirit. His Word says where the Spirit of the Lord is there is (liberty/freedom)…Today, may we all truly walk in the freedom that He has provided for us, since God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of those in heaven, and those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Let freedom ring!
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AuthorI have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. We have two young men ages 25 and 20.. This blog is somewhat of a journal and attempt for me to remind myself of my purpose and invite others to join me in keeping an eternal perspective as we move through each day. Archives
May 2023
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