“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” Philippians 1:27

It was sort of an alternate universe to me. Not only had I prided myself for years for not giving a rip what anyone else thought about me or the things I did, sadly, it wasn’t even an act. It was as genuine and as real as I sit here today. I had no qualms about writing you off and not ever giving it another thought. Your opinion mattered little to me and I had no hesitation about telling you where you could put it. Unfortunately, that mindset followed me into my relationship with the Lord. Only I got a little bit better about hiding it, or at least gained a little tack about it anyways. Instead of saying anything, I began to only think it. I would listen. Smile. Totally make fun of you in my head, and silently decide you were an idiot. So rude, right?

One day, I felt the Lord nudging me. As if to say, “I don’t care what these people think of you, but I do care what they think of Me. This isn’t about you.” It was sort of like God had begun a softening process on my heart and life. One that has proved to be a very loooong, sometimes painful, process. It continues to be something I have to work through daily. Taking others opinions, thoughts and criticisms on my life doesn’t come natural to me. I wholeheartedly believe it’s due to being in a state of defense my entire life. When I accepted Christ, He took on all the things I had to be defensive about and He continues to show me that I don’t have to live my life on the defense… I have the freedom in Him to love without reservation and to allow others into my life. Even into the not-so-pretty parts of my life. I have the freedom to listen and not get defensive. To consider other’s thoughts, and to filter them through scripture, prayer and my own personal outlook. I have the freedom to disagree respectfully but to allow others to be heard. If we call ourselves Christians, we have an obligation to point our lives towards Christ. ALL aspects of it. Not just the ones that are comfortable for us. Philippians 1:27 says, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” God is saying this. This isn’t about you. Regardless of what you think, or what you’ve been taught your entire life, this is all about Me. I have a plan. I’m sitting on the throne. I am King. I am in control. Conduct yourself in such a way that acknowledges that and points others to me. I have a plan for each of you that your minds can’t even fully comprehend. Come be a part of My story. Come let Me love you and set you free. I’m waiting.

Don’t delay. May we all walk in His freedom this day.