Last Sunday I challenged the group of girls on my team (our Sunday night youth program is divided into 3 teams and I lead one of them) to examine their Facebooks/MySpaces/etc to ensure that everything about them - pictures, comments, everything - says, "I love Christ." So this week, to make sure that I was up to my own challenge, I did a quick survey of my own Facebook. Incriminating photos from my crazy, rebellious 21st summer no longer exist in the world of social media. Comments with "WTF" and other "even though I'm using an abbreviation, you know what I mean" phrases stopped appearing around the time started dating Cody and he said that if I was going to be a youth pastor's wife, that kind of language had to stop. I walked away feeling satisfied. If I don't have any appropriate language or pictures then I'm good, right?
And then yesterday my pastor's sermon about putting on truth and righteousness and a new thought dawned on me. What made me think that people know that I love Him just because I haven't necessarily posted any "bad" content. And then I thought about my blog. It is mostly - but not entirely - read by people who don't know me in "real life." What kind of image am I painting of myself? What if my love for Him is merely reduced to being "just another thing about me" like my hobby of finding and working crafty projects...or mymild obsession with pop culture...or my love of watching movies...or fun little adventures with my husband...or the fact that I miss my family terribly...or, despite loving working in the hospitatlity inustry, the fact that I sometimes get annoyed with people (patience, I know...)... or pictures of our travels... or recipes that I've tried...or my love for my adorable chihuahua...?
So I don't have a nice little bow to put on this package or a cute little Christian anecdote. I guess its just a work in progress.
Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:16-17
And then yesterday my pastor's sermon about putting on truth and righteousness and a new thought dawned on me. What made me think that people know that I love Him just because I haven't necessarily posted any "bad" content. And then I thought about my blog. It is mostly - but not entirely - read by people who don't know me in "real life." What kind of image am I painting of myself? What if my love for Him is merely reduced to being "just another thing about me" like my hobby of finding and working crafty projects...or my
So I don't have a nice little bow to put on this package or a cute little Christian anecdote. I guess its just a work in progress.
The fruit of the Spirit!! It's on my wall as a constant reminder that I am a sinner who certainly isn't perfect.
ReplyDeleteloved this!! such a good challenge. I am always asking myself this question :)
ReplyDeleteLove this post!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is, quite possibly, the best blog post I have read in a verrryyy long while. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Enjoy reading your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Thank you for sharing from your heart. I must say though, you blog always has such an encouraging and inspirational feel that points upwards to Him. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post!! Your passion for a fruit-filled life is contagious! Oh and, YES, please join my family! The fact that you are SO close to me (I'm in PA) means that an actual real-life rendezvous MAY just be realistic!
ReplyDeletegreat post! that is a great challenge for us all!
ReplyDeletePS: I left you something on my blog!
Katie,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, loved this post .. A few months back I did the same thing about taking a look at my facebook page, from college, and took down things that do not show the love of Christ that I have. Great challenge though!
Secondly, this is my first time to your blog and I love it. =)
This is also MY first time to your blog, and I love that this is the post I happened to find. I'm thinking I probably need to do the same. Love it, and thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. I have known you since age 3, and even though you are *HUMAN* and have normal mistakes, you have always been one of the best spiritual leaders I have known. You have always encouraged me to be a better person and christian. Even if you haven't meant to. Your love of Christ radiates from your whole life. I am so blessed to have you as my forever friend. I LOVE YOU!
ReplyDelete