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This blog is simply meant to bring God the glory; no more and no less. I'd love to hear from you! Comments, questions, conversation. rebecca.labriola@gmail.com

Monday, June 11, 2012

A Pleasure to Christ. A Fool to the World. Monday, June 11. 2012

I find that we are bending
and breaking
and molding
and conforming.
And not often enough to Christ.
Daily we are faced with battle of
Jesus vs. The World, Society, etc.
We are forced to make a choice.
Will we choose good?
Or will we slip?

So often I want to choose the good side; to side with Christ
but just as frequently, I fail.
I fail to choose the good because I wonder what others will think.
It worries me that I will stand out.
It is so much easier to go with the flow.
Just take the easy way out.

But then I have to think,
one day, I will have to stand before my God.
I want to be proud of the decisions that I made.
I do not want to stand before our Lord and explain to Him why I chose the world.
He gave His life so that I could follow Him.
How can I justify bypassing that selfless offer with worldly things?

This generation is so radically different than the previous ones.
In some ways, we are better off.
We have incredible technology and advancing medicine.
In other ways,
it seems like our morals and values are in a dangerously steep decline.
My great-grandparents would be absolutely appalled if they had to grow up in this generation.
As a whole, this generation is a "Me Generation" focused solely on their own benefit.

What will I wear?
Does this look good?
What on earth is she wearing?
How can I best benefit?
What will they think?
I'm better than them.
These phrases and many of the like swarm around in my head each day.
You know what should be going through my head??

How can I best glorify God?

If I lived my life to glorify Him,
there would be no negativity,
no selfishness,
no wondering if others approve.
I would humbly know that my God approves
and that to me is enough.

By the grace of God,
there are times when I do find myself making decisions that glorify Him.
When I do, I feel like the world looks upon me as a weirdo.
In my weak moments, I care what the world thinks.
In the moments when I realize that all that I do is for Him,
then it does not bother me one bit that I might be considered a freak.

People thought Jesus was insane.
John the Baptist enjoyed dipping crickets into honey, essentially.
That's bizarre.
Yet, I am fully aware of the fact that I would much rather be like these men than
be like the newest pop star.

I would rather be looked upon by the world with distain
than disappoint my God.
I would rather my God look upon me with great pleasure
than have the world's approval.

This is not only my struggle though.
This is your struggle.
This is your battle.
You are called by Him to choose Him.
Are you willing to take the risk?
Are you willing to look like a fool to the world?
Are you ready to give up the world's approval?
Is the approval of Christ enough for you?
Church, stand up!
Church, be courageous!



Casting Crowns-
Courageous

We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chains
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk humbly with your God

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous
Lord, make us courageous