My darling, I have some bad news, God does not exist. I know this may be of a shock to you, because you have grown up in a home that does all of the "Christian" things. We are a family that prays, reads Bible stories, and goes to church. We do all of the cliché things that a "Christian" family should do. We look the part. But sadly, although we do all of these things, God does not exist.
God does not exist, when you are to be too busy to make a difference. God does not exist, when you just aren't kind to that person that drives you nuts. God does not exist, when you look down upon those that beg on the street corners. God does not exist, when you refuse to forgive someone that really hurt you. God does not exist, when you go off on the customer service rep that really is no help. God does not exist, when you only care about yourself.
By now, you may be catching the satire in my writing, but there is some truth to the phrase "God does not exist." My Love, if you choose to see those actions through the lens of someone who does not understand a relationship with Christ, then you will see the truth to the phrase. A person that does not understand the love of Christ looks to us to prove to them that there is a God. They are not looking for the typical "Christian" actions such as church-going, praying, and Bible reading, but, rather, authenticity and action. What are you doing to show others that you have a relationship with Christ? Do you love more? Are you kinder than most? Do you keep your cool in moments of chaos? Do you make time to help others?
As I share with you how important your actions are for sharing the love of Christ, I am reminded of two things. First, a time when I asked for an extra dose of Christ's love, and second, some verses in Corinthians that describe the Biblical love and how are lives should be.
Several months ago, I learned how to share the love of Christ when I received a bill in the mail. Normal? Yes, but this was a bill that my insurance should have covered (My daughter, you will learn later what a hassle this can be!). I immediately called the biller and got the details of why it was not covered. I then called my insurance and worked out the details with them. It went on for FOUR months back and forth, insurance says they need more time, biller needs their payment. Then, it happened, I got a notice that this would go to collections! Now, Camille, your daddy and I have worked very hard to keep our credit clean and this was not going to happen! I called the insurance once again and received the "We need more time" excuse. Finally, I went up there! On my way, I was mad! I was ticked! I was ready to let the company have it! What company lets their employees get four months behind on their work! But, in the middle of this chaos, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray. I knew if I lost it with the employees then I would have also lost my Christ-like behavior. When I accepted Christ's love, I also accepted HIS cross! Remember the earlier post? So I followed the prompting of the Spirit and prayed for favor with man and that I would be calm and loving towards the employees. Guess what? God answered this prayer! I was kind and loving. In addition, the insurance company called the billing company and admitted their fault, got me out of collections, and completely fixed the problem. I left that appointment amazed at what God had done! I had tried for four months to do what HE did in an hour.
Sharing the love of Christ is something that we should do daily through our actions. Like in the above story, it is not us, but Christ who works within us that brings the love anyways. I want you to join me in looking at a few verses in Corinthians that explain God's expectation of us.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
My love these verses are not only encouraging us to share Christ through our actions, but to share Christ through our actions in love! You can do something that is "right", but if you choose to do it without love, then God still does not exist!
My prayer is that you catch these words and understand that you are a living and breathing advertisement for God. When others look at you, they should not see you, but God. They should see a real person with a real relationship. So to you my beautiful daughter, I leave this final thought and challenge. "Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God."
I love you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet,
Mommy
No comments:
Post a Comment