I Believe....

I Believe by Southland QT

I believe.....yes, I believe.  In all the things this beautifully rendered song speaks about but I also believe that what I do, how I behave, what I think while I'm traveling here matters.

As the years have passed, I have become ever more aware of what it means to BE a Christian.  I spent my younger years pretty much on the periphery, observing what living a Christian life was and the people who were doing the real work.  I was at church, I was involved, I was BUSY, but I wasn't LIVING IT.  I was ACTING IT.

A lot of things happened that caused me to be aloof, to sit afar off and cast cynical aspersions on those who were making the real efforts to BE a Christian.  Momma used to say they were excuses, not reasons.  I think she was right, as Mommas very often are!  I could find 10,000 excuses to live afar from the Lord, but no valid reason.

Over the last several years, I've let go of my excuses, painfully so at times.  They were like a blanket that sheltered me and comforted me.  As each was peeled away, I was vulnerable to the Holy Spirit and had no choice but to face myself as I really was.  I didn't much like what I was seeing. 

The arduous process took years to even dent my facade, but it did happen eventually.  The me God created me to be began to surface.  I liked me for the first time in my life.  I even began to love me.  What a surprise!  I didn't want to be vain, but who God created in me was a pretty lovable person!  For the first time in my life, I felt not only loved, but loveable.  What a joy to feel that you deserve to be loved!

So, yes, I believe.  I believe in who God created ME to be............just as I am!  I'm not perfect by any means, but I am on my way to perfection in Him and that's all He asks of me......OR YOU. 

Perfection isn't being a size 6 or having great hair or a faultless smile; it isn't always having a spotless house or the latest fashions, it isn't driving the best vehicle or having the best husband or children.  Perfection is working your way to being just who He created you to be....just as you are!

DO YOU BELIEVE?

"God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are."  

Ephesians 2:8  (CEV)

"God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns."  

Philippians 1:6  (CEV)