Passages

These here are some passages I made the effort to find when I was on Beach Mission over the summer. We were asked to say our favourite Bible passages, but to be honest... I have none. So I went to try and find things that I really connected with.

Galations 1:10: Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Well. This is one of my struggles. Although I'm usually in disagreement with people and willing to argue and share points of view, I also am careful not to step on people's toes and not offend people. However, if there are problems at church or outside, sometimes I won't voice them, even if I really believe that's what God would want, because I fear the consequences of my voice and the feelings of the people I confront. Courage is what I need to use. I've known this is a factor of my personality for a while, and have been more concious when I am faced with these positions. Last night at training for an event, some of the leaders were making an absolute mockery of serious issues like kidnapping, murder and rape. This time I didn't sit back and let it happen, and I said something. And it went well I think. I believe that may have been the right thing to do.

Romans 1:16 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

For much of my life, I was afraid to admit I was a Christian, and would NEVER, under any circumstance outside church, talk about it. Slowly over the years, I've changed as a person, because now I'm happy to openly talk about what I believe, and to share in others' beliefs too. I had a dark part of my life in which I did bad things, and also didn't really want people to know what I believed (because I didn't know if I wanted to believe it either), and I know it is not right for me to hide myself like that. So now, more than before, I am not ashamed.

1 Timothy 4:12 - Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Like the first passage, I am sometimes not willing to challenge people, especially those older than me and more 'experienced' Christians. Well, this passage is encouragement to not back down from doing just that, if it is warranted, as well as a reminder that though I am young, it does not mean I cannot be an example for all those around me.

Ephesians 4:1 (thank you Digger) - As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you received.

I am blessed, lucky, fortunate to be where I am with all I have. I would feel as if I had wasted my life if I did not try to share these with those living without. That includes every part of me - possessions, money, talents, life, beliefs. I believe I have these things for a reason.

Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

I think a reason why I sometimes fade in and out of inspiration, faithwise as well, is because I am not always trying to explore and question and struggle with ideas. It's much easier to sit back and accept. But nowhere near as fulfilling. So if I truely want to believe, I have to make the effort to search myself and to try to understand as best I can. I can't expect to have things come to me or have greater understanding or belief in God come just from waiting for it to happen.

And these are just some of the parts of the Bible - with many more I am yet to read - that I feel connected with.