14 Days of Love – Day 11 – Nothing to Hide

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  – Galatians 5:22-23
 

Hypocrites!  They are all hypocrites.  How many times have you heard someone say something like, “If they got to know me, they would know that I am a good person.”  As we walk the streets and shopping centers of our life, this includes school, work, the mall, the hairdresser, the gym, the playground and yes even the bar.  We are making an impression on those around us everywhere we go.  Oh they won’t always tell you what they are thinking, but they are sizing you up and making an assessment.  The language, the mannerisms, the embrace, the tone and the body language all tell a story of who you are.  When you walk into the church on Sunday morning or Wednesday night are you the same person as when you walk into the office each morning?  I’ll be the first to admit, I struggle here.

A typical Sunday morning for us is unbelievably hectic.  Many times Lisa handles it alone, because I have already left early, usually with Sam, to help out at church.  Getting three teen agers around on a Sunday morning, includes some type of breakfast, brush your hair and your teeth.  “No, you’re not wearing that to church, it’s God’s house.”  “Seriously, you’ve worn those jeans for 3 days straight.”  “No, I said brush your hair, not put it in a rubber band.”  Everybody pile in the Suburban, what do you mean we’re out of gas?  Looking in the rearview to see one missing.  HONK-HONK-HONK. Come on.  Finally, we’re pulling out of the driveway only to see the dog running down the driveway after us.  “Who left the door open?”  Back it up, catch the dog, put him back in the house, try not to hit the kittens as we squeal the tires out of the driveway. 
 
It’s like putting on a theater production, and I must admit it’s hard to maintain my composure each week.  I’m a time watcher and I know it takes exactly 27 minutes from the moment I pull out of my driveway until the moment that I am sitting in the sanctuary at The Crossing Church, and this assumes that I hit all of the green lights and there are no bicyclists on Honea Egypt road (another pet-peeve of mine).  Lisa will be the first to tell you that as I stare at the clock on Sunday morning and watch the minute hand progress my patience is wearing thin.  If we leave home and I realize that we won’t make it on time, my whole attitude is going to reflect it.

It’s funny though, as soon as I take those three steps leading up to the church, and reach my hand out to shake the hand of the greeter, my entire attitude displays joy, stability, peace and love.  I move through the congregation and take my seat and for the next 90 minutes or so, there is not a person in that sanctuary that realizes the chaos our family just went through.  We’re really good at putting on the face of Christ when we need too, aren’t we.

God’s love needs to show from you always.  You never know who is watching, who is taking note and who is sizing up the Savior of the world based strictly on the Christian they see standing in line at the grocery store or on the stool at the local pub.  When the Holy Spirit took residence within your heart, He brought along a few characteristics, just to make sure you knew He was there.  The love of the Father is within you, and available to everyone you come in contact with.  It’s likely that you aren’t really good at sharing it with everyone you meet, all the time; but it is intended for that purpose.  The Spirit of the Lord is not within you to be kept in the shadows until you’re home and alone in your quiet time.  NO, the Holy Spirit is alive, has much to say and wants the world to know – “This one is mine.  Hear him/her and listen to what they say.  The Lord Almighty has something to say though him/her.” 

Hypocrisy is the act of saying one thing and doing the exact opposite.  You cannot always be perfectly in line with the image of Christ, it’s impossible.  But as you mature you need to let God’s love show through you, so others you encounter will see.  You are a child of the most High God.  It’s not an on-again/off-again switch.  When you step outside of your front door, your neighbor sees your actions and hears your words.  Maturity comes when you are able to realize this and know that you are an ambassador for Jesus Christ all of the time.  Do those around you know you are a Christian?  If not, don’t feel guilty, but do something about it.  Why don’t you want them to know it?  Is it because once others know it, they will expect you to carry it with you and live up to it all the time?  They’re right, you do.  But, there is nothing more important for others to see in you than the love of God the Father on display. 


Prayer:
Loving Father,
Your love is amazing and fills us to the point of overflowing.  Let it always be upon our lips and in our actions as we make our way through this day.  Fill me with Your words and allow me to display Your love to all that I meet. Let the world see You when they glance upon my image.  In Your name we pray – Amen


© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts