We are all about the selfie stick. Instagram paints the picture we want people to see. And Facebook tells them how to feel about us. It is all on the surface. But, what’s actually happening underneath it all?
I started 2017 reflecting on many different areas of my life like relationships, hobbies, and priorities. It must be because my roaring 20s are coming to an end and the rose colored lenses are clearing up. And through all my reading and searching I’ve come to one conclusion: I need to be black or white.
There is No Gray
I grew up going to church most of my life. Yet, Sunday service was another activity in the week. When it came to my faith, I liked to stay in the gray area. That gray area meant I went to God when I had a problem, but most of the time things were okay, so I was good on my own.
What happens when we stay in that gray area? It becomes all about us—hence, the selfie stick. Christianity turns into: what can God do for me? That’s the problem with the gray area. And that’s the exact opposite of what Christianity should be.
When No One Sees
The real Christianity is revealed when no one is looking. It happens when you lend a friend $100 to pay the light bill (and you don’t post it to Facebook). When no one is watching, and you pick up the mess someone left behind, that’s your true character shining through.
Who are we when no one sees? That’s the person we should really work on. It’s like going to the gym and posting that #gains pic, but at home we are baking a batch of brownies. We are doing the same with our faith if we profess Christianity, but don’t make the sacrifices to change.
When it’s Black or White
The bible reminds us to examine ourselves. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 it says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” This is a daily reminder to examine your heart and mind, and then make the change.
Being black or white means you pick a side. You are either for Him or against Him. Isaiah 29:13 reads, “The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” The gray area is seeing life through the selfie stick. Black or white means you act on what you say you believe.
Versus to reflect
Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Matthew 7:20-25 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 6:1 Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
Living Thirty Three 