MORE THAN AN ARM-CHAIR CHRISTIAN
Kimberly Lawrence
Today’s Scripture: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17, ESV
Theme: In every way possible, in everything seen or heard in my life, let me reflect God and my belief in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
GO, TEAM! GO!
As a college student, I was fortunate to attend a university that won not one but two national championships during my time there. (Go, ‘Noles!!) One of those years, our quarterback also won the Heisman trophy. What a time to be a football fan! Weekends were consumed with tailgating, pre- and post-game parties, face painting, dressing the theme, parades, and loads of sideline cheering. Our mascot would lead the team onto the field, and I could feel the rumble of the crowd deep in my soul. It was an uninhibited frenzy with fans screaming with excitement and all hands in the air. There was no question who I was there to cheer for!
UNSURE
Around the same time in my life, my roommate invited me to church. Looking back, I had what I would describe as an insecure faith. I believed in God, but there was no real relationship, and certainly no action. I was more fearful of not knowing the “right answer” about the Bible or looking like a goody two-shoes in front of my friends than I was interested in investing time in study or worship. While I was not shy about screaming, chanting, and singing the fight song for my football team, when the pastor made an altar call at church, I sat there, paralyzed and sweating. My legs just wouldn’t work! There I was, on the sidelines, just watching.
STAND UP
I’m not proud of my reluctance to just stand up in and for my faith, and I pray God has forgiven me for my immaturity. Yet I imagine someone reading this can identify with my level of insecurity. Why was I so uninhibited with my “worship” of a football team but so fearful of judgement about matters of my faith? You may recognize other insecurities: I wear my cross necklace to church but not to work. I pray over my meal at home but not at a restaurant. I tell my Christian friends I serve with Cove Students and write devotions for our church family, but I leave these out when talking with acquaintances.
Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, once famously said, “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” I’ve thought about that quote many times. Is saying “I’m a Christian” enough if nothing about my actions, my speech, my treatment of others, my service, my generosity, or my life is an indication of my faith?
If I want to celebrate God’s presence in my life and help lead others to eternal life through Jesus, I need to get over myself and off the sidelines. If I can have that much exuberance cheering from the bleachers, imagine the feeling of being involved, making an eternal contribution, and living out my faith! That is what I really want to do!
Make It Personal: Writing these devotions each week is, for me, an opportunity for reflection and acknowledgement. While I’m certainly not proud of some of my shortcomings or missteps, I feel like sharing them allows me to give them up to God and, in some way, help you know you’re not alone if you share similar struggles. Join me today in making a commitment to embody our faith in every aspect of our lives, not just when it “fits” the situation.
I want everything others see and hear from me to reflect God and my belief in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. That’s a message worth sending with every ounce of my energy.
Pray: God, thank You for all that You’ve done in my life, and for being patient with me in my journey. You have never been embarrassed or ashamed of me, despite my sinful nature. I want to tell my story boldly so that others can see Your goodness and grace. Please let everything about my life speak Your Name. Amen
Read: Isaiah 12:4-6; James 2:17-20; Colossians 3:17; Mark 8:38
Weekly Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4b, ESV