Welcome to week 1 of Journey to Abiding! I am so excited to start this journey with all of you, I hope it both challenges and grows you as we walk through this journey together. My prayer is that this new series will stretch you and help you grow in your relationship with Christ as we walk through this new journey. Throughout our lives we will see many seasons come and go and with those season we find ourselves on new journeys as life moves on. Something that I have begun to notice as I get older is time seems to go faster and faster.
As a young child, time often seemed to stand still, however as I get older I have found that life seems to pass by in the blink of an eye. Some days seem to pass by in a blur, if you blink you'll miss something. Which got me thinking about how precious life is and how important it is to love those around us and be the salt and light of the earth just as scripture tells us to be. In Matthew 5, we are told that we are the salt of the earth. After this statement the author asks the question, 'what good is salt if it losses its flavor?' the answer is simple... it becomes worthless. Yet, we are called the salt of the earth, we are called to be potent and rich with the gospel message and ready to share it with the world. The chapter goes on to say that we are like a light set on a hill, shining for all to see. Would you hide that light under a basket? Of course not, you would put it up so that it could illuminate the darkness and light everything up. Which is what we have been called to do as followers of Christ.
Along with being the salt and light of the earth scripture continuously tells us to love others unreservedly and unconditionally, however, I want to pose a question. How can we love others if we don't love ourselves? For years there has been a lack of self-love within both believers and non-believers alike. We are called to love others, yet we don't even love ourselves. You cannot completely love another without first loving and valuing yourself, at least not fully. It is time for us to stand up and realize their own worth.
It is time for us as believers to realize that we are worthy of being loved and of loving others. Once we begin to love ourselves a confidence like nothing you have ever seen will begin to emerge and not only that, but fear and insecurities will also begin to fade away. I am a strong believer that when we learn to love ourselves and who God has made us to be, then and only then will we begin to truly love those around us unconditionally and unreserved.
I believe it is time for us to rise up like lions and respond to our lions (Gods) roar and let it echo across the world for all to hear. Echo the roar, be the voice that isn't afraid to stand up for what is right. The voice willing to stand for what they believe. The voice ready to shout at the top of their lungs. "Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it" (Ezra 10:4). It's time to walk in your calling and Rise up!
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Isaiah 60:1-3).
Your challenge this week is simple: when you look in the mirror at the beginning of the day begin to proclaim promises of God over your life. Look at your reflection and say you are: more than a conqueror, you are more than enough, you are worthy of love, you are the child of the most high, you are never alone, you are more then your past mistakes. You are enough!
Rise up! Love Yourself! Be You! And Shine Your Light for All to See the Glory of the Creator!
As always remember you have a God-given uniqueness!
Shalom ~ Alianna