Oh to be like Him

So I've been a slacker and haven't been reading my Bible. I think most of us go through times of getting into God's word and then falling back into our old ways. I haven't been taking the time to spend time with the one who changed my life forever. I've been expecting Him to hold up His end of our relationship but haven't taken any steps in holding up mine. How can I love God more than anyone or anything if I don't spend time with him. How can I expect to walk through fires without smelling like smoke if I'm not close to the only one who can bring me through it. Sure, I go to church and am involved in different things there but that's not a relationship. I love spending time with my family. I can't wait for Taylor to get out of school, I can't wait for Jason to get home from work but how often am I jumping out of my seat to spend time with the one who gave His life for me? God's also shown me how selfish I've become. I used to love giving. There's just something about giving that makes me so happy and makes me feel so fulfilled. Through a serious of situations in my life, I started to loathe giving. I felt like some people expected things from me and took advantage of me for it. That shouldn't have stopped me but it did. Recently I've started to do little things here and there, mainly for family, that I hadn't been doing. All of the sudden, I felt happy! Go figure!! I began to feel like I was doing what I was supposed to do!! I then started thinking about how different life would be if I was living the way I was meant to live. So I brought out my Bible and started reading in Philippians. Don't ask me how I got there. Ask God. I believe he led me straight to it while sitting in the car loop line. Anyway, I read the first two chapters and then wrote the following. Well, Paul actually wrote it. I just rearranged it to summarize what I read and make it easier for me to understand. For those of you who know me, you know I hate reading. I know, shocker!!! So if there is any way I can make it easier on myself...I will. Enjoy.



Like Him



To live is Christ. To die is gain.

I live on to be obedient even through the pain.

Living up to your standards as best I can.

Being firm in the Spirit, here I am.

To be like you Jesus, same mind, same soul

To live like you Jesus is my daily goal.

Setting my selfishness aside, my empty conceit.

Putting others before me, making my pride retreat.

Doing all things without grumbling and without complaint.

I will not grow weary. I will not faint.

I will wait on you Lord. New strength you will give.

For you, like you, I want to live.



In writing this, I hope it will be a reminder to me of how I'm supposed to be living and who I'm supposed to be living for. If you are going through a tough time, if you're not feeling loved or you're feeling like you've given your all and it's just not enough, look to Jesus. Read about the life He lived. He was obedient to the point of death. How many of us can say the same? How simple does it seem to be obedient in the little things yet how often are we not. It may be as simple as saying yes when we would normally say no. Loving when we aren't loved back. Keeping the promises we made when there is no gratitude. Caring for someone who has hurt us. You may even be the one who doesn't love back, who never says thank you or who hurt others. All you have to do is ask for Jesus to forgive you and move forward. Don't just sit around and do nothing. By doing nothing, you're falling back. Paul says, "forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14). If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, then ask Him to take over your life right now. He will change you forever. You will never regret it. I promise. He will forgive you and you will want to live a life like Him. Just remember that He is always here for you. If you don't feel close to Him, you're not doing your part in the relationship. I'm speaking to myself just as much as you. I love you all and can't wait to see each and every one of you in Heaven!