I was
getting sloppy in thoughts, words, and actions. I was letting myself stay
grumpy longer, not caring so much about what I said, and generally not acting
very nice. I was actually enjoying being somewhat rude as if I had a right to
be rude, and I didn’t even know why I felt that way. Have you ever found
yourself in a situation where you’re not acting like yourself, and you wonder
why? I plan on asking the Lord and I know He’ll
tell me, but for right now, I repent and
start changing my mind. Romans 12:2 tells
us: “Be not conformed to
this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
It all starts with the mind. I
needed to get my thoughts back in line with God’s thoughts. Sometimes I need to
go back and read one of my own articles. Here’s the one He gave me for tonight:
ARE OUR THOUGHTS, WORDS,
AND ACTIONS GLORIFYING GOD?
Steve-o, my work friend, told me he went to see the band, Tool, perform.
He said he really didn’t like the music but when he got there, it was something
else that caught his attention and admiration. The lead singer/guitarist was in
the back, with the other guys out in
front. Steve-o asked if this was normal and found out that’s how they always
perform. In most bands, the lead singer/guitarist is the main focus, but here it was more about the music
than the ego of one main guy.
Steve-o also
told me about another band, the Gorillaz, where you never see the guys in the
band. It’s a virtual band consisting of four animated members, who are
completely fictional and not personas of any real-life musicians.
Again, it’s about the music, not the performers.
I thought that
was pretty great and it made me think about the Body of Christ. It’s not about
a preacher’s great flair or charisma, nor is it about us as individual superstar believers
and what we can do with our great personalities or abilities. It’s about Jesus
and the Body of Christ – what we can do together with Jesus as the head—the
brains—strategizing the best for all members of the body to be blessed,
functioning in our perfect places, to the glory of our Father, God.
There’s no
place for big egos in the Body of Christ. Galatians 6:3 tells us: “For if any
person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder
another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own
estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.”
Even Jesus said, “I am
able to do nothing from myself [independently, of my own accord—but only as I
am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as
I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to me, so I give a decision], and my
judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult
my own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to myself, my own aim, my
own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent
me” (John 5:30).
That’s pretty humbling and
what a great target.
I’m going to write myself
a note and put it in several places, so I’ll look at it: “Are you giving glory
to God?” I think it will help me and maybe you’ll want to do something similar.
Remember, it’s about God’s band and His music, and not about what satisfies our
own egos.
“So then, whether you eat
or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of
God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
Love, Carolyn
You can see some of my
other writing if you click “LOOK INSIDE” on any
of my books or booklets on Amazon.