HomeWord - May 30, 2013

 Are You a Huge, Huge, Christian?

This devotional was written Linda Vujnov

…all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. —1Peter 3:8

My girlfriend has five boys. I’m told this is better than having five girls, but I suppose some would disagree. In addition to one girl, I have 3 boys. While our girl is happy watching movies and creating handmade gifts alone in her bedroom, the boys organize baseball games in our living room where couch cushions are makeshift bases, the sleeping dogs are the foul ball markers, and a paper towel roll and stuffed football serve as the bat and baseball. Boys do everything at high volume, high energy, and in perpetual motion, thus, my girlfriend ranks high on the chart of nominees for “most resilient and uber awesome.”

One day while referencing her, and in the midst of conveying the fact that she is kind, fun to be around, and a great friend, our youngest stated that she was also a, “huge, huge Christian.” Her acts of kindness, generosity, and the lack of the yelling gene conveyed to our boy that since her character reflected that of Jesus she wasn’t simply a Christian, but a huge, huge, Christian.

After his comment, I couldn’t help but question, “Do I reflect Jesus?  Am I a huge, huge, Christian? The answer is: Not always, definitely, not always.

According to Socrates, “An unexamined life isn’t worth living.” If I want to be the person who Christ has called me to be, I need to not only do some self-examination, but I also need to make some changes. In order to exhibit character traits that reflect Jesus, I need to engage in self-reflection and self-control.

Admittedly, I am impatient, judgmental, and critical, which is not too Christ-like. As I recognize my character flaws, I also need to make a concerted effort to make visible changes, otherwise, I will remain the same and will continue to reveal my flagrant flaws to others.

So, what about you? Will you remain the same, or will others see the impact that God makes in your life because you project a Christ-like character?

I don’t have any intention of remaining the same. I intend to strive for change, moment by moment through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. One day when someone asks our boy about me, I am hopeful that he will say, “I love my mom. She’s a huge, huge, Christian.”

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What character flaws can you eliminate today so that you reflect more of Jesus?

2. What character traits would you like to reveal more to others?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:8-10

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