Scripture Girl

Ephesians 5:27 ESV

So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

As I awaken each morning I can see a dogwood tree outside my window.  This year it has more leaves and now berries in which will feed the birds.  As I sit and reflect on the beauty of this tree, I am reminded of what this tree means to me.  Its leaves form the shape of a cross, the center is a reminder of the crown on thorns placed upon Jesus’ head and the red berries are a reminder of the blood which was shed for me in Jesus’ death.

 I have lived in this house for around 16 years and this tree has continued to grow and even though my house is surrounded by many trees this one tree continues to reach toward the sunlight and parts are pruned by death and others are reaching higher and higher towards the light.  As I continue in my daily walk with Jesus, I am pruned daily of the things that are not Christlike in my behavior and are replaced with the fruits of the spirit. 

A friend said the following to me this week, “When we are in Christ, we don’t have to carry baggage, we carry luggage.  Luggage is something that we carry when we are going on a trip/vacation and when we go on vacation, we carry all the good things with us.  We don’t carry old clothes or things that don’t make us look good.  With Christ we are adorned with good things and we don’t have to carry old things around with us.”   What a wonderful description of what we become when we are in Christ.

Sometimes when we are changed into the likeness of Christ some people don’t see what we have become because they are not at a place in Christ to see the goodness.  Sometimes they are still in the past and aren’t looking at the present.  It sometimes hurts me to hear people say, “Well, you used to be like this or you used to do these things.”  What they fail to recognize is the fact that I am not the same person and that I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind through Christ.  It’s okay that they don’t see it, because I know in my heart that I have been changed. 

Another revelation came to me with spilling red Koolaid on a white shirt.  Even though it made a stain on my shirt, I was reminded that I am always covered by the blood of Jesus.  Two different times this week I have spilled a drink on my shirt and chuckled because it was again that reminder of Christ’s blood that was shed for me.  What an awesome revelation and one that came at a time when I wondered whether God hears my prayers or thought that he was for some reason or another he was mad at me.  I wore both of those shirts to different places to complete some errands and not one person asked about the stain.  I guess in my confidence in Christ, it didn’t really matter about the stain.

When you are willing to see what God has to say to you in different ways, you are receptive to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.  Each day I begin a new journey on my walk with Jesus and each day he shows me more about himself and what I need to change in order to be more like him. 

My prayer for you today is that you remember the beauty of God’s creations, the subtle reminders of his promises to you and that you are always covered by the blood.  As you walk with him, you will see what he can change in you. 

2 Timothy 1:11-12 ESV

For which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do.

As I sit and reflect about my own walk with Christ I am reminded that each of us have different gifts and talents.  Upon reading my daily devotional from The Upper Room, today’s devotional was entitled “Sing Your Song.”  Even though I don’t sing in the praise team or choir, I do try to worship through singing.  It makes my heart fill with joy and gladness to be able to put words into a sweet sound heard by our Lord.  I don’t have a professional singing voice, but God hears it with great joy and knows that it comes from my heart.

My gift is of writing and teaching small children.  I delight in seeing those little eyes light up when you speak about Jesus and the wonderful stories of ordinary people doing great things for Christ through his power in them.  Each day I want to continue to be “childlike” in my reading of the word and to see that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Several years ago I went on a spiritual retreat, Walk to Emmaus.  As I heard the teachings and sang wonderful songs of praise, I remembered during my life all the times that Jesus had walked so closely with me and I had not recognized him.  Each day he walks closer and closer and he begins to mold and shape me into his likeness.  With each pruning and season, I can see what things he wants me to change and what areas that I have grown in and that he is promoting me to other areas of service to the church and my community.

My own son was given an affirmation of praise in his decision to wear a t-shirt from a summer activity which involved my church.  This praise came from the principal of his school.  He has started middle school this year and with this new adventure also comes more challenges and I try to remind him that he is in Christ and that he will be protected daily by prayer and his desire to do the right thing.  Middle School is a hard transition for some children, but with prayer from parents and the praise of those around him who also believe in Christ, I believe his school days are much easier to bear.

I was also reminded of my duty to teach adults about Christ recently while cleaning at a local manufacturing plant.  I was not sure of why I was there and why I needed to be doing such a menial task, but it became more apparent that we are sent to the places where there is much need in regards to the kingdom.  Another Sister in Christ could see Christ in me and reminded me that she too was there to bring others closer to Christ.  From the moment I met her, I knew there was something different about her and we came together to share our faith during a short break.

 Regardless of what you do in regards to employment, there are opportunities to share Christ with others.  I am fortunate to teach at my church Day School and even though I would like to just stay within those walls at times, I know that I have been called to reach out to the lost in many areas.  Wherever I go and whatever I do, I am called to preach the good news of salvation to all.  I had to come to grips of sorts with the idea of being outside of my comfort zone in some areas and to be strong in my faith and willing to share about God’s goodness.

My prayer for you today is that you remember everywhere you go, that you are called to teach others about God’s love and goodness.  Whether you are the CEO or the janitor, you can reach others around you.