Finding Authenticity

The day before Easter my family stood together at 4:58 am and watched the blood moon while praying for Israel. We held hands and asked God to protect His people in Israel and America. The phenomenon of the lunar eclipse and blood moons is fascinating to me. It was so impressive to view with the telescope, binoculars and even the naked eye. There was a moment of awe as we witnessed a heavenly event visible here on earth. The Bible tells us in Genesis that the sun and moon were placed by God in the sky to “serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years” (Genesis 1:14-18 NKJV).  What a majestic opportunity for communication from our heavenly Father!

At this point in my life it was also a reminder that we are getting ever closer to Christ’s return or my individual entrance to heaven. It caused me to reflect on where I stand before Him…am I living my life to His glory or am I wasting priceless time? Heavy thoughts but necessary. I don’t want to stand before Him in eternity and have nothing to show for the time, gifts, and talents He gave me to use! Unless I evaluate occasionally I will simply let life pass by thinking that I will have time “later” to be who God called me to be. I want to be an authentic Christian and that means that I must be honest with myself about how I am choosing to live. Am I stepping out with bravery or am I obscuring His light with the fog of my distractions? Am I allowing “secret sin” to disqualify me or am I humbly asking Jesus to purify my mind and heart? Am I excusing grudges, envy, disobedience or my tendency to hide due to fear? Am I truly surrendered to Christ even when no one can see or am I all “talk” with no “walk”?  I read a devotion by Joni Eareckson Tada this week and it had a beautifully severe quote from John Wesley. I was stunned by its timeliness. God is just waiting for us to ask for His help to live authentically so He can fill us with the power and strength of His Spirit. Only in His power can we resist the pressure to fade away into mediocrity.

“Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I’m a better person than I really am?

Do I laugh at the mistakes of others, reveling in their errors and misfortunes?

Do I insist on having my own way?

Is there a tendency for me to put others down so that I’ll be thought of more highly?

Do I pass on to others what is told to me in confidence?

Am I thoughtful in expressing ‘thanks’ to people for what they’ve done for me, no matter how insignificant it seems?

Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

Did the Bible live in me yesterday?

Did I disobey God in anything yesterday?

Did I insist on doing something about which my conscious was uneasy?

Did I handle discouragement well or did I have to be coddled?

Am I enjoying prayer?

When did I last speak to someone about Christ?

Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize or hold resentment toward? If so, what am I doing about it?

Is Christ real to me?”

John Wesley ~ Test for Self Evaluation

Taken from Joni and Friends Daily Devotional 4/7/15

 

I want to be an authentic Christian and that means that I must be honest with myself about how I am choosing to live.

 

If you are looking for a way to ensure you are living your Christian life with authenticity please consider carefully the questions in this test. If/when you find yourself convicted ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit so you are able to change. I will be doing the same.

You are always in my prayers friends.