
In church, the Spirit ministered to me in two different ways. First, he introduced me to what a family crest is. If you are unfamiliar, it is the family name that would identify you for your family heritage, and provide you with an identity. The problem with crests are that people know you by your family, not by who you individually are. For instance, maybe your family name is royalty and that is who defines you, perhaps it is poverty and that is what defines you. I thought about this. I come from a broken home, I have three Dads, a biological Father, a Step Father, and an Adopted Father. I went by 4 last names throughout my life, and I often make comment that I don't know where I truly belong. I'm sure that is pretty common for people that come out of broken homes. Today however, my broken home gave me a sense of security. My spirit reflected on Matthew 8:20 But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head." I always had an idea what I thought this meant to me, however today it took on a different meaning for me, it became real and a life lesson. Foxes and Birds, do what they do because of the fact they are Foxes and Birds. Just like I did what I did because of my last name or my identity handed down by my family...but when I live for Christ, my identity is not dependent of family heritage, or a title, or a last name, or a way of life, it is dependent on who I become in Christ.
Second, I reflected on a testimony of great value. Living a life in Christ can be very very messy. I am one that reveals how messy it can get. I don't hold it together well when God comes to stir up my comfort, to teach me lessons, to help me grow, to help me mature. I am a "hot mess" as they call it these days, and everyone knows it. Because of that, I need to surround my self with genuine people. So what is "genuine?" It's people who are real. People that can be honest and say they've had a hard day. People that don't try to puff up and act like they have it all together when they are scared to death, people that are afraid to show their vulnerability. I am actually a very trusting person until I find out someone has alternative motives, or need to lie to get attention, then I simply withdraw from them. I am not looking for people that give fake testimony or only rely on "miracles" to prove God's existence. God is here in everyday life, in every day messes and every day trials. He is here when we do not see someone healed by cancer, or someone loose their house to debt. He is there when we go around and around and around that mountain. He doesn't leave us or forsake us, even when we don't have great big amazing testimonies to share. I might even get so bold to say that in Matthew 16:4 Jesus says: Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah." Then Jesus left them and went away. Sometimes we have to stop demanding signs and start living in faith, even when we don't see anything. God is still there.
Today is good... God changed a couple areas of my life that needed changing. I needed to see why I am so irritated by the lack of genuineness in some people, and that even though I don't have a "family name" that defines me, I have Christ, and it probably says a lot as to why I cling to him so strongly.
Have a great day friends.
~just ang