3.14.23
Hey, Calvary Fremont –
He walked into my office and said, “I have three times as many books as you do.”
When someone tries to impress you, intimidate you, bully you, or control you, please know this – they are not living in or operating out of the peace of Christ.
Please know this, too, that when you try to impress, intimidate, bully, or control others – you’re not living in or operating out of the peace of Christ.
It’s a glorious place to be when you have nothing to prove and no one to impress. What a glorious place to be when you don’t need someone else’s approval, affirmation, or admiration. When I find myself yearning for the approval, affirmation, and admiration of others, I know that my fellowship with Christ isn’t what it should be. When I need someone else to validate me, I know that there’s an emptiness inside me that I’m trying to fill – I know that I’ve drifted from the fullness of Christ. Christ in me blesses and fills and affirms me.
But here’s the rub – I live in a community of saints who are to love and respect me and recognize the work of God in me. And this is to feed my soul. And I am to love and respect and recognize the work of God in them. Yet when I don’t receive the love and respect that is due every person, I don’t have to storm off and nurse my wounds. I am not empty when the saints ignore me. Christ is never more precious to me than when others fail to love me as they should. Though all are faithless, Christ is faithful. Though no one flows into me, Christ overflows me. And though no one flows into me, Christ in me overflows toward them. Christ in me removes the anger and the hurt. Christ in me is healing and Healer.
Jesus never stopped being Jesus. When they rejected Him and mocked Him and crucified Him, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Jesus never stopped being Jesus. You never stop being a follower of Jesus. There’s some good theology packed into that little song – “Though none go with me, still I will follow.” Though none flow into you, you can still live in the peace of Christ. Saints can often act like non-saints, but Jesus will never stop being Jesus to you. Never stop being a follower of Jesus!
Be blessed and stay healthy and follow Jesus – Pastor Tim
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