Warning: This is a “novel” of a post.
After reading this, some may decide that I am a “fundamentalist”, or that I am being “judgmental” and “prideful”, etc. (as has happened in the past). I am only writing about what I know and what I have been called to be. So if you are somehow offended by this post, I am deeply sorry…but I cannot, and will not, hide what the Lord is doing in my life.
Over the past few weeks, I have been prayerfully considering who God is calling me to be…and as I have read, as I have spoken with others, I have come to realize a few things for certain about who I am called to be. Amazingly enough, who I am called to be is also who I long with all my heart to be—which doesn’t make it easier by any means, but makes the journey more enjoyable. Seeking the Lord has been an incredibly humbling experience for me, because I have realized just how far I have to go…but I also know that He is walking right next to me, guiding my every step.
I want to be like the woman described in Proverbs 31…
—Wife of noble character
–Diligent
–Hard-working
–Respected
–Fears the Lord
–Speaks with wisdom
–Faithful
–Praised by her husband
I want to be like Ruth…
–Willing to go wherever God leads
–Compassionate
–Heart of a servant
–Bold when necessary
I want to have the mind of Christ…(1 Cor. 2:16).
I want to smell like Christ…
2 Cor. 2:15-16—“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are
being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death;
to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
I want to possess the fruits of the Spirit… (Gal. 5:22-23).
—Love, joy, peace, patience…
–Kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
–Gentleness and self-control.
I want to be holy, as God is holy… (1 Peter 1:14-16).
That song completely fits my situation and my outlook on life right now.
The things that I have begun to value increasingly are considered to be “crazy” by those who are in the world. They cannot understand why I choose to do the things I am doing/not doing.
For example, my stance on visual entertainment (i.e. movies and television)…I cannot tell you how many people have told me that they cannot understand why I would choose to abstain from watching these things (for the most part).
I want to make it clear that
it’s okay if you don’t choose to do what I have been called to do…my convictions are personal, and I do not hold others to my personal standards.
Here are my reasons for my decision:
I ask myself, does this movie/show help me spiritually? Or does it hinder my walk?
Here are just a few of the verses that I have as guidelines for my life, now more than ever…
Phil. 2:5: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Eph. 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 3:2-3: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Col. 3:12-14: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Phil. 2:14-16: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
We are called to be holy, to be set-apart. I believe that it is possible to do so without completely disconnecting oneself from the world and that is what I am attempting to do.
Bottom line:
I Peter 1:14-16: ‘As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”’
Am I “crazy”? Perhaps. However, I don’t see it that way.
The only things that are of any value to me right now are those things of ETERNAL value. If my spiritual walk is not strengthened by a movie, show, etc., but rather hindered by the content, what’s the point? If it is not helping me to be more like Christ, then I would rather not watch it.
This is not an easy task, nor a quick one…in fact, I’m only beginning to embark on this journey.
It will take a lifetime to work towards these goals…and I’m ready for it.
Even So, Joy 