It's that time of year again. The time where we make goals for ourselves: most unattainable. We are going to be a better person, be kinder, give more, lose weight, put the phone down more often, read more, watch less. We place standards and expectations on ourselves claiming this is going to be the year. We put out a good story, but inside we are flailing. We are so desperate to be the person everyone thinks we are, that oftentimes, we lose ourselves.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Matthew 23: 27-28
Jesus had much to say to the religious leaders of his time. He was aware of their outward appearance. He saw what the people saw but was not impressed. The Pharisees ramblings did not excite Jesus because he saw through them. He saw their hearts and he knew they didn't match their words.
There have been many times in my life when I've wanted to get on a mountaintop and scream my worthiness, my reasoning for doing things the way I did, my justification and why I stumbled. Sometimes I do this only to find myself in a deeper pit then I was before I opened my mouth. Other times, I kept silent and was hurt extensively.
I have come to realize that it does not matter what others think of me. What matters is the state of my heart in the eyes of Jesus. This doesn't give me the right to be dismissive or unkind to others. It just means that at the end of the day what really matters is where I stand with my Savior.
I can have the most inspiring Jesus-filled Instagram account. I can lead you to believe I have it all together reading my Bible for 45 minutes a day, working out an hour a day, eating clean and healthy at every meal, never raising my voice with my kids, submitting to my husband in all things, never gossiping or being judgmental. It's easy. My words can sway and move you to believe I am a good person doing good things. But, at the end of the day, none of that matters. The Pharisees had this. They had the words and the wisdom. They had the people of the day duped into believing they were on a spiritual pedastal when,in actuality, they were just a bunch of smoke and mirrors.
What matters is the state of my heart in relation to the Lord. I don't want to play the song and dance game of religion. My life isn't about how spiritual I am or how good I am playing this faith journey out. I want my words to match my actions. My heart to align with my being and doing. I want what you see on Instagram or Facebook is the same when you come into my home. If I claim to believe in Jesus, I want you to feel him before I utter a word.
You see, I shouldn't have to convince you that I've got it all together; that I have this faith thing all figured out. I don't need to show you that I can follow all the Christian rules. My life should be a reflection of my Savior and that begins in the heart.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Love & Blessings,
Meg
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Matthew 23: 27-28
Jesus had much to say to the religious leaders of his time. He was aware of their outward appearance. He saw what the people saw but was not impressed. The Pharisees ramblings did not excite Jesus because he saw through them. He saw their hearts and he knew they didn't match their words.
There have been many times in my life when I've wanted to get on a mountaintop and scream my worthiness, my reasoning for doing things the way I did, my justification and why I stumbled. Sometimes I do this only to find myself in a deeper pit then I was before I opened my mouth. Other times, I kept silent and was hurt extensively.
I have come to realize that it does not matter what others think of me. What matters is the state of my heart in the eyes of Jesus. This doesn't give me the right to be dismissive or unkind to others. It just means that at the end of the day what really matters is where I stand with my Savior.
I can have the most inspiring Jesus-filled Instagram account. I can lead you to believe I have it all together reading my Bible for 45 minutes a day, working out an hour a day, eating clean and healthy at every meal, never raising my voice with my kids, submitting to my husband in all things, never gossiping or being judgmental. It's easy. My words can sway and move you to believe I am a good person doing good things. But, at the end of the day, none of that matters. The Pharisees had this. They had the words and the wisdom. They had the people of the day duped into believing they were on a spiritual pedastal when,in actuality, they were just a bunch of smoke and mirrors.
What matters is the state of my heart in relation to the Lord. I don't want to play the song and dance game of religion. My life isn't about how spiritual I am or how good I am playing this faith journey out. I want my words to match my actions. My heart to align with my being and doing. I want what you see on Instagram or Facebook is the same when you come into my home. If I claim to believe in Jesus, I want you to feel him before I utter a word.
You see, I shouldn't have to convince you that I've got it all together; that I have this faith thing all figured out. I don't need to show you that I can follow all the Christian rules. My life should be a reflection of my Savior and that begins in the heart.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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