mepastormike

I have heard "Being a Christian is not easy." But that's wrong. I've come to understand that my attitude, my way of thinking, affects my Christianity a great deal. The fact is "Being a Christian is not hard." About 15 years ago, during a time in my life that I was confused about what I believed (mainly because I was not living it), my Mom read a quote from a book off my shelf: "If you can't be a Christian where you are at you can't be a Christian anywhere." That statement stopped me in my whining a crying.
Either I am a Christian, or I'm not. Either I am submitting to the transforming work of God's Spirit within me, or I'm not. There are certainly rough edges that need to be smoothed out in my life... edges within my personality, my abilities, my gifts (let's just say there's plenty of work to do that will last the rest of my life). But I am not satisfied to remain the way I am and to leave these areas in my life untouched. Either I give God full access, or I don't. I can certainly be a Christian anywhere I am at... and I don't have to announce it off roof tops for that influence to be felt by others. I was reminded about this yesterday while at another Chamber of Commerce event. It still amazes me how presence alone (people knowing I am a Christian and me being confident about that) will give boldness to others to speak about their spiritual lives as well.
Today I will be in one of the middle schools to teach about character. I pray for God's help and the power of His influence to be evident through my life to the teachers and students.
My reading took me to Daniel, chapter 9... Daniel prays for the salvation of Jerusalem. In his prayer Daniel acknowledges who God is, he confesses sin, and seeks God's favor. Because of Daniel's heart... the genuineness and sincerity of his prayer... in verse 23 God's response is "As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given..."
O God, You are the Creator of everything, You are all powerful, You are merciful. Many of the people I will come in contact with today do not acknowledge You in their lives. Lord, it is with Your Spirit working within me that I can do anything. My prayer is that You be glorified and receive honor through my life today. -Amen.