“ye shall know the truth and the Truth shall make you odd.”
I LOVE, LOVE this morning’s quote from IF:Equip and Shauna Niequist
This past weekend I was given the privilege to speak at Ponderosa Bible Camp …the final challenge I left with the campers was to “LIVE BOLD! LIVE BRAVE” for Jesus…In between sessions I was in the kitchen because that’s where they keep the food..duh! No, really I was in the kitchen enjoying great conversation with a devout Jesus follower friend. One of our conversations was about this very thing….DO THOSE LIVING AROUND US VIEW THE WAY WE ARE LIVING AS ODD?..
I recently read a very similar quote from Elisabeth Elliot’s book Keep a Quiet Heart..
“Behavior will change, and very likely it will change enough to make me appear rather odd-but then my Master was thought very odd.”
Are we living life in such a way that others view us as “odd”??
Let’s be clear. I’m not referring to “odd” in that you do the things you do because YOU don’t want to conform…I’m speaking in regards to your life changes since surrendering your life to Christ..
Since “putting yourself utterly and unconditionally at God’s disposal”…
Since you said, “Yes Lord” and began “taking cues from the Word of God” instead of the world, or your friends or media….
what has changed in your life?????
Some things may have stopped immediately. A foul mouth. The lies. The lust.
Other things may still be lingering….the pride of life, drunkenness, a critical spirit, the gossip..
You may know, have read and can even quote Romans 12:2:
“And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
but are we living it???
IF we believe God is real and we believe His word is true THEN WE SHOULD LIVE THAT WAY….right?!?!
Jesus was rejected by many because of the truth He spoke. He spoke it anyway.
Jesus was mocked. He loved the mockers still.
We hold on to the things of this world for various reasons. They’re comfortable. They make us feel good. We like our stuff. Our music. Our shows-our habits..and yet over and over
–His word is clear.
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:24
Simply put.
If we’re going to claim Jesus. We should Live Jesus.
By His grace-
We love the mockers. Forgive the debtors. Flee the temptresses of this life.
Exchange “No Lord” for “Yes Lord”…daily..
Time is ticking. None of us are perfect. No not one but little things matter ya’ll….let’s get alone with the Creator and ask Him? “Am I where You want me Father? Search Me and know my heart today…”
My prayer and heart’s cry is for the lost …open eyes, open hearts Lord as only You can …Father help me, by your grace to see others as you see them today..help me to love as you love, serve as you served..Help me say NO! to the things of this world…May I honor you with every thought, word and deed …Help me Jesus -LIVE YOU today before my husband, children, family , friends and strangers…May others see and hear YOU …may they come to know You as Savior ,as friend before it’s too late.. Father, Hear my plea ..”I love you Lord because You hear my voice and supplications. Because You have inclined Your ear to me I will pray as long as I have breath.”
Amen
love y’all
PS- this is coming…
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
“The struggle for us as believers is living in a world of contradictions.” I have been thinking about this statement all day. Reading your blog today gave me a peaceful insight to those words. We are odd, we should be odd as this world is skewed and we are a “plumb” line for God. Your thoughts always bring clarity for my discussion with The Father. You are a blessing.