Recently we became grandparents for the
first time. It is difficult to describe what that feels like. When we go over
to visit our new little grandson, we just sit and stare at him for hours while
he sleeps and when he wakes up we fight over who will get to hold him next. Well,
we do not really fight, but it is difficult to share him! He is so adorable and
sweet, so tiny and precious! We look forward to every moment that we get to
spend with him. It takes us back to the days of extreme joy when our own sons
were newborns. It seems like yesterday. We love any opportunity to spend time
with our kids and grandson. The thing about being a grandparent is that we
experience the same joy that we had when our own children were born, but
without the sleepless nights and the challenges of first time parenting. It’s a
blessing!
Spending time with our precious little
one has caused me to examine my own life in a different way these last two
weeks. Right now, he spends his days sleeping, nursing, being cuddled and
making dirty diapers for the most part. But, trust me, when he needs something,
he lets you know quickly. As soon as his little eyes open from a nap, he lets
you know he is very hungry or has a dirty diaper. His sounds match his actions.
Thinking about this made me wonder if my words and actions match.In my weekly Bible study (BSF), we have been studying the seven churches in the book of Revelation along with other passages that help to interpret Revelation. A couple of the churches received commendations from Christ for their continued faithfulness to Him and their faith, some received both commendations and warnings, and a couple received no commendation at all but only rebuke from Christ. Their words and their actions did not match. They claimed to be believers, but their actions and lack of love said otherwise. Their love for Christ and others had grown lukewarm. They became consumed with themselves and with worldly idols. But, even in that, Christ warned them with love and an opportunity to repent and to turn back to Him.
So, what does my life say to others?
While waiting at the hospital for our little grandson to be born, I had a
couple of conversations with my family members. I heard myself say something
like this several times, “the things that matter most to me are Jesus, my
husband, my sons and daughter-in-love, our grandson and the other people we
love…” But, does my life really reflect that? Am I really committed to my First
Love, Jesus Christ? Do my actions draw others to Him, or do they push them
further from His great love? Are my priorities really my family, friends and
those who need to hear the good news of the Gospel? Well, sometimes yes, but a
lot of the time, not so much.
My deepest desire in life is to honor
Christ with my life, to love my family and friends well, and to point those
without Jesus to Him, but quite often I get it wrong. I get distracted or I let
the world consume my thoughts and actions. I act much like the believers of the
seven churches in Revelation. This saddens me because life is short and I want
to spend my days on the important things of life. So, how do I do that?
God’s Word gives us many answers to that
question. His Word tells us how to live in ways that please and honor Him and
point others to Him. Here is a beautiful example of some Scripture that tells
us how to live as faithful believers who shine the light of Jesus:
In Colossians 3, the Scriptures remind
believers who “have been raised with Christ” to “set our hearts on things above…and
to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things…” (v 1-3) It also says
to, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature...” and
to “rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander
and filthy language…” (v 5-8) We are also to tell the truth, to take off the “old
self” and to put on the “new self”. (v 9)
We are to, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…and be thankful…letting
the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom…” (v 15-16) In verses 12-14, we see that we are to
clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…bear
with one another…forgive…and over all of these virtues put on love…” Finally,
Colossians tells us that “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (v
17)
This is just one of many examples of how
to live as faithful followers of Jesus Christ. There are so many other
instructions in God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation about how to live well as
His followers. I want to be like our sweet little grandson, where my actions
match up with my words, or in his case, his little baby sounds. I can talk
about being a believer over and over, but if my life does not display Christ-like
actions, then my words are worthless. I pray that as I dig deeper into God’s
Word every day, that it will transform and renew my mind, my heart and my life
and that others will see Jesus in me, not for my own glory, but for His alone.
Amen!
