Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cool and calm on this new day of a new week and after a little time in the presence of a Big God my Heart felt on the inside what the day brought to the outside…cool and calm. It was shocking to step outside to temperatures so much cooler than the average summer day, but after a few minutes I settled in to enjoy the ride. As I considered the “shock” of experiencing something I’m not accustomed to…something I wasn’t expecting…it made me think of how that’s the kind of impact my Life can have on others IF I’m willing to be a Reflection of Christ, that is. When someone stands in my presence they should see, feel, and hear about the One who died for me and my life should cause an unbelieving soul to experience “culture shock” because I don’t resemble things of this world, but things of Heaven instead. Isn’t that your goal through the Journey of Faith too?

It can be so easy for people of Faith to fall into the snares of this life if we aren’t careful but we can’t be a good Reflection of Heavenly things if we do. We can stomp and whine about the state of the world with the best of them, but we are supposed to be “in this world, not of this world” and there’s nothing “shocking” about the way we live when we join the crowd of complainers. We can hold a grudge against the ones who wrong us like the best of them, but holding a grudge is a refusal to forgive and there’s nothing “shocking” about the way we live when we hate along with all the others. We can spit out insults and justify our beliefs like the best of them, but there’s nothing “shocking” about the way we live when “out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing.” It’s when we love when it doesn’t make sense…when we forgive no matter the offense…when we refuse to speak hate to (or about) any one of God’s creations…that we stand out like a sore thumb in this dark world and the “culture shock” that lost people experience in our presence will often lead them to want to know what’s “different” about us. This is the key to living out “thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

I’m an imperfect woman living an imperfect life but I love the Perfect One with all of my Heart and I strive to Live the way He commands me to. My desire to please Him is far greater than my desire to tango with the darkness of the world. From politics to pedophiles I leave it up to God to exercise judgment and “vengeance” because I know when He takes care of business, the consequences of their actions are eternal. With Him in control of it all, I know that when I speak out against what I see with my eyes, I’ve lost sight of the Master Plan altogether and I become a poor reflection of the One I Serve. I want lost people to experience “culture shock” when they see my supernatural responses to unnatural events. I want them to see Love when they “don’t deserve it.” I want them to see the “peace that surpasses all understanding” when outward circumstances paint a picture of turmoil and hate. I won’t rely on what I think with my head or feel in my Heart to be a Witness to the darkness…I’ll give it everything I’ve got to live a Life, to SPEAK the name of Jesus Christ, to Love unconditionally, to reflect the “fruit of the spirit” which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. I want the darkness to experience CULTURE SHOCK in the Light of my Faith all the days of my Life…and THAT’S what God will use to add to His Kingdom if I remain faithful to the Faithful One.

How about you?