simple (yet giant) step
Lately I have been pondering holiness. Before we go any further: I AM NOT A THEOLOGIAN! There, I stake my claim. I have been pondering holiness from the perspective of a mom to two kids, a wife, a friend, a women involved in lay ministry, a pastor's wife, and again a mom to two little kids!
Amidst my pondering I have found some amazing blessings and some incredible realizations. I have always thought that holiness was something that I longed for in my life but how can I long for something I didn't really understand? I think we hear the word "holiness" and either check out or freak out (whoa...that's not for me)! I can honestly say today I hear the word holiness and it brings a sense of excitement, freedom, and an almost gut wrenching longing that I would live a life so closely alined to my Lord that others would see me living out a holy life.
I have come to the realization that holiness is not something tangible to be earned after you have been a Christian for a number of years. Holiness is when we take that step and say to our Lord, "it's not about me it's about YOU." When we can take a simple (yet giant) step and risk getting rid of ourselves to be filled with more of the One who created us.
I have come to the realization that holiness is evident not only in OUR hearts but in how we INTERACT with others. Holiness in our hearts overflows into our relationships. Therefore, holiness is not just personal it is relational. I recently read an excerpt from a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss that says, "Not only must I choose the pathway of holiness for God's sake and for my own sake; I must also do it for the sake of others." That means holiness does not solely affect my heart it affects the heart of my kids, my husband, my church family, my friends, the grocery store attendant, the cashiers at Target, and so on!
I have come to the realization that holiness is allowing God to move so deeply within us that he can free us from our deepest struggles. Holiness is when I personally react out of kindness rather than spite. Holiness is when I am calm in the midst of intense stress. Holiness is when I rely on God rather than what makes me comfortable in that moment. Holiness is when I don't react out of kindness and yet have the God given strength to go to someone and apologize. Holiness is what I want more of.
Do you feel alone? Do you find yourself constantly wanting more of something? Do you want a peace that literally nothing in all of this vast world can give you?
Let the journey begin by taking one step: "Lord, it's not about me it's about YOU."
Amidst my pondering I have found some amazing blessings and some incredible realizations. I have always thought that holiness was something that I longed for in my life but how can I long for something I didn't really understand? I think we hear the word "holiness" and either check out or freak out (whoa...that's not for me)! I can honestly say today I hear the word holiness and it brings a sense of excitement, freedom, and an almost gut wrenching longing that I would live a life so closely alined to my Lord that others would see me living out a holy life.
I have come to the realization that holiness is not something tangible to be earned after you have been a Christian for a number of years. Holiness is when we take that step and say to our Lord, "it's not about me it's about YOU." When we can take a simple (yet giant) step and risk getting rid of ourselves to be filled with more of the One who created us.
I have come to the realization that holiness is evident not only in OUR hearts but in how we INTERACT with others. Holiness in our hearts overflows into our relationships. Therefore, holiness is not just personal it is relational. I recently read an excerpt from a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss that says, "Not only must I choose the pathway of holiness for God's sake and for my own sake; I must also do it for the sake of others." That means holiness does not solely affect my heart it affects the heart of my kids, my husband, my church family, my friends, the grocery store attendant, the cashiers at Target, and so on!
I have come to the realization that holiness is allowing God to move so deeply within us that he can free us from our deepest struggles. Holiness is when I personally react out of kindness rather than spite. Holiness is when I am calm in the midst of intense stress. Holiness is when I rely on God rather than what makes me comfortable in that moment. Holiness is when I don't react out of kindness and yet have the God given strength to go to someone and apologize. Holiness is what I want more of.
Do you feel alone? Do you find yourself constantly wanting more of something? Do you want a peace that literally nothing in all of this vast world can give you?
Let the journey begin by taking one step: "Lord, it's not about me it's about YOU."
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