Most messages have it in mind to inspire us to become more like Christ yet often we are left with a feeling of not being good enough or just feeling like we can’t reach the standard that we believe God expects of us.
This strain leaves us feeling unworthy and so we just believe that we are not of God’s Character. We can quickly think of someone else who is so much better at the God thing than us.
It’s easy to compare ourselves to our friend who reads their bible faithfully and that leader who seems to be so much more righteous than us because of all they do for God.
See God never meant for us to be compared with anyone but Him.
What’s more important is the reflection of His character through your life. I have several really good friends who are more Christ like in character then anyone I know and yet THEY are not perfect. They have struggles and issues yet in the midst of it all Christ’s Character shines through their lives in a beautiful subtle way.
God does not put conditions on his love for us.
He loves us because He does and His character is reflected through all our lives in one way or another. When I truly believe that, then God and I become a powerful team. When you believe that the character of God is reflected through your life then you and God become a powerful team.
It takes a different way of thinking to identify how Christ’s character is reflected through your life.
It takes believing that God created you to reflect who He is and simply that reflection of Him is not conditional on whether you do things right most of the time. That reflection is there whether you see it or not… that reflection is there because you were created by a Creator who had a purpose in mind for you to discover.
If you choose to believe that His reflection exists through your life then you and He make a powerful team. Because He takes what you do and turns it into something incredibly amazing!!!
How is Christ’s character reflected through your life? Do you know? Do you even believe that it is?
13 Comments
June 3, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Great post that reminds us of our divine nature. One of the things that comes through clearly in the New Testament is that Christ was no respecter of persons; He loved them all regardless of social class, sin, past experiences, or gender. I mention the gender thing because in a time and place in which women seemed to be treated as lesser beings, He treated them with respect and compassion.
June 3, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I hope others see it that way in me. I try all the time
June 3, 2008 at 5:35 pm
This is sooooooooo good! The word understudy comes to my mind. Not in the “I’m taking over when He ails” part. But in the I must dig in study, watch, listen, imitate every move, every nuance. Knowing I cannot “be” Him, but striving to be “like” Him.
I so believe Christ’s character is reflected in my life. It is hard to name it though without sounding pompous. Gosh, would that be another hurdle to overcome? I think though, in serving others, in loving others, in wanting to share Christ with others. The fruit of the Spirit, gradually all of it, not just little bites or pieces.
What I think is really cool though, is the Character of Christ that others see in me that I don’t. Sometimes or most times maybe it is an area that I know I’m weak in and talking with the Lord about. Others see the change way before I do.
All glory to God!
June 3, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Heidi, I know I have said this before, but I LOVE your posts. Boy, they inspire and encourage. I just thank God for your heart!!!
I have often said that I often see more non-Christians displaying Christ-like character than Christians. Um. Did that make sense?
Now..your question. Hmmmm. I believe that His character is seen in my life because I am His child. However, to be completely honest, I guess I don’t know how it is. I may have to ponder this for a bit.
Love ya, sister!
June 3, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I believe we reflect Him the best when we offer ourselves to people, (our thoughts, our feelings, our ideas, our resources, our hearts) even knowing there is a big chance we won’t be appreciated and a small chance we will be outright rejected, expecting nothing in return. I don’t do that nearly enough.
June 3, 2008 at 8:54 pm
ya know when i compare myself to someone else (because maybe i feel i don’t stack up) im, in essence, putting them before and above God. never saw that until this post Heidi! thank you!
so much love!
June 3, 2008 at 9:25 pm
“How is Christ’s character reflected through your life? Do you know? Do you even believe that it is? ”
At this moment in time I doubt there is much of Christ’s character reflected through me.
Love Ya’ Lady! Thanks for keeping me thinking!
June 3, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Theresa, give your head a shake! Heidi, great post. I can’t put my finger on how His character is reflected in me, but I know that most of the time it is because I am and I feel different than I used to in my BC days. Now, get over to Theresa’s site and pour some of that lovin’ on her, or I’ll have to go over myself. Off to bible school. Last session tonight – Revelation. Pray for me!
June 4, 2008 at 2:34 am
His life is relected through me as He lives in me. It is displayed by many means – prophesy, tounges, healing, and Fruit of the Spirit. He is relfected in my life, through Power.
I loved the post!
June 4, 2008 at 4:55 am
Heidi, First of all, you really have a way with words. I love your writing style. You communicate so well.
“If you choose to BELIEVE that His reflection exists through your life then you and He make a powerful team. Because He takes what you do and turns it into something incredibly amazing!!!” ~Heidi
I loved this….BELIEF is the key. I was reminded that Abraham’s BELIEF was accounted unto him righteousness before God (Romans 4:4, I believe it is)
and where we lack belief, we shall just ask for His help!
(Mark 9:24)
Thank you for this post. I feel inclined to print it out, and chew on it. Thank you…..Storie
June 4, 2008 at 7:54 am
Yes, I believe my life reflects Him…but because it is so outwardly displayed my “my actions” in such a dramatic way, I am in constant battle with my heart and thoughts. This is why our community is so valued and important. We are made for accountability and relationships and being “all alone” out here (physically) I don’t know how mission people did it back in the day. You guys ( my tribe) are the ones who are making it possible. I don’t remember what the original question was, but things like this post and all the others are the things that draw us near and remind us of what and where the Cross looks like.
June 4, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Excellent post, with great writing. We recently heard a sermon that compared the call of God inside us like Mentos to our diet Coke. The candy acts as a catalyst to what otherwise would be a pretty unexciting substance, to create explosive results. But the candy doesn’t do it alone.
It reminds us of the Rob Bell message about Peter walking on the water, that it wasn’t Jesus telling Peter that he had doubted the power of God, but Peter was really doubting himself, and the power of God to use him!
We are constantly amazed that God would choose to use us. Thanks for such a thought-provoking piece.
June 4, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I look at it this way. God gave us life, much as we gave it to our children. I think God expects of us, as we might expect of our children.
I have no desire for my children to compare themselves to me, or to aspire to be like me. Rather, I simply want them to do the right thing, which is usually easy to discern. The lessons of the Bible can be summarized in my opinion by the Golden Rule. I believe THAT is about all that God expects of us. The rest just clutters the message and seeks to complicate something that God gave us and is very, very simple….life.
I try everyday to live the moment that it was given to me, for in a moment it is gone, never to be relived by anyone. Plan for tomorrow is fine, but live in the moment you’re in right now. Enjoy those who’s company you’re in, savor the conversation, enjoy the music, the breeze. Don’t be in a hurry to get here, then there, then back here.
God gave us life. Keep it kind, and simple. I think that’s the way he would want it…
Peace