​A New Creation – Part 1

As a child, I felt insecure and fearful about tomorrow. I desperately attempted to control my life in order to feel as safe as is humanly possible. I did not want to leave anything to chance, because it usually turned out badly. I focused inwardly and took care of my own business.

Introverted and analytical, I lived a very cautious life with intense self-discipline and attention to details, so I would not cause anyone to get upset with me. I disliked change of any kind and I reacted in anger when my security was threatened in any way.

My favorite activity was to sit in our giant China-berry tree in our back yard, engrossed in a book until sunset. I also enjoyed crafts of all kinds. My mom and grandmother taught me to do needlework, and I learned to do many other crafts from the instructions in library books.

Throughout childhood, I was way too sensitive, felt too deeply and cared too much. I had no real friends except my cousins and my Girl Scout troop. I had no dreams or aspirations, except making it through the day in relative peace and calm. These traits followed me all through high school.

In adulthood, my loyalty to God, friends and family served me well as a Born Again Believer. I do not need many friends, but I am merciful, caring and loyal to all of my acquaintances. I am still easily embarrassed and shy. I feel overwhelmed in a group and I prefer talking to people one-on-one.

However, God impressed on me the importance of stepping out of my shy persona and allowing His Spirit to minister to people through me. Ironically, He called me to serve Him as a greeter in social gatherings, and as a Pastor’s wife, living in the limelight under microscopic scrutiny.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for using these years of my life to transform me with the mind of Christ. My penchant for perfectionism made me, and everyone around me, tense and uptight, until You mercifully delivered me from that demonic plague. You taught me that doing my best was all that anyone could ever expect from me. Then, You took it one step further and encouraged me to walk in Your Spirit as You transform my life into a new creation.

Thought for the Day:

In Christ, our old personality is dead and we no longer live for our self, because the Spirit of God abides within us and we are buried in Christ and raised to walk in a new life. – 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4

When You Try Your Best

Read: 1 Peter 2: 22-25

“For even Christ didn't please himself. But, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." – Romans 15:3

Have you ever gone out of your way and invested your time to help someone, only to have them turn your efforts into accusations against you? You give them your best, you go the extra mile, you bend over backwards to help them, and then it blows up in your face. If you did something wrong or from the wrong motive, you could take responsibility for it and apologize. But, when no unwholesome word came out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need (Ephesians 4:29), and you are misunderstood, then there is no justice in their behavior towards you.

You can take courage and solace, however, in the fact that you are in good company (Matthew 27:39). Jesus was falsely accused, scourged, spit upon, kicked, forced to carry a heavy cross in his weakened physical state and hung by nails upon a cross until He died (Isaiah 53:7). He did not deserve this treatment. He did nothing to earn it by His behavior. Yet, He was bruised and abused for His goodness and kindness to everyone He met (1 Peter 2: 22-25).

In Matthew 5:44-46, Jesus tells us how to relate to people in this type of situation,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and  pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like  your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors  do the same, don’t they?”

There is a higher calling for Christians. When we are falsely accused, unjustly blamed and misunderstood, we do not need to adopt a negative attitude or to strike back against the person(s) who berated us. Paul commanded that the Thessalonians (5:15) make sure that nobody paid back wrong for wrong, and he encouraged them to always try to be kind to each other in the Body of Christ, as well as to everyone else around them. Paul admonished the Romans (12:17), not to repay anyone evil for evil, but to be careful to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

We can, however, take a step back from the friendship or relationship in order to prevent any further misunderstandings and abuse. We do not need to repay insult with insult, but simply explain our actions and share our feelings calmly and without accusation.  We can bless those who accuse us, because we are called to take the higher ground. If we do, we will receive God’s blessing (1 Peter 3:9).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help us not to pay back a wrong done to us, but to wait for You to deliver us instead (Proverbs 20:22). Help us to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who mistreat us (Luke 6:28). Help us to work hard to help others; but when we are cursed, help us to bless; and when we are persecuted, help us to endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12).

Thought for the Day:

The real tests of courage is to remain loyal, even when we are falsely accused; to endure hardships, even when no one notices; and to stand alone, even when we are misunderstood.