Yesterday in my small group (group that meets together to build, encourage, pray for one another ... dive in to the Word etc...) we watched a video called the Power of 1, speaking about how we should realize our single years are a blessing because we have free time to do the things that pleases God & despite me writing a blog on this a couple months ago, I was totally convicted! Basically, I'm not ready for marriage ... so I am not ready to date POINT BLANK! But this blog isn't really about yesterday, somewhat related though, no tangents I promise!
I was thinking about Romans 8:1"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Are we really walking this verse out?! Stephanie, are guilt/shame/insecurities that are not from the Lord weighing you down? So many times I think we come to one another wanting condolences for our struggles/shame that comes with it, when the remedy was already handed to us. Jesus on the cross! If you belong to Him, your guilt has been swept clean. So lets speak truth to one another, of course being sensitive and sympathetic, but who the Son sets free is free indeed, Right!
How do we change our past guilt to be used for the Lord's glory and not the devils? One way I feel the Lord has been encouraging me is to use these situations to share the Gospel! For example, it's inevitable if I haven't talked to someone for a long time, they are bound to ask the question, 'How's the love life going?' I mean it seems appropriate I am 20, and most people around me have been in the dating world since elementary school (no joke). By the time I got to late middle school the question became that question, in high school it was the dreaded question, in college the ignored question. I hated anyone pointing out my lack of getting hit by cupid's arrow to cure my non-commitment disease. It was embarrassing, my pride didn't help; and can I say our society does a great job at pressuring us to rush into relationships!
But this question now puts a smile on my face, because I know exactly where the conversation is heading. I get to tell them how I'm getting my heart right with God, before any other man enters my life, and how Jesus is sufficiently in the spot as my first love! An open door for me to share how Jesus has transformed me! So disciples, not only are we called to hold different standards than this world, but use them to share the love of Christ!
-Stephanie
"But this question now puts a smile on my face, because I know exactly where the conversation is heading."
AMEN!!!!!!!!
:-)
Amen :) Love it Sis. We got to use every opportunity to our own advantage!!!!