Little Things

Revelation 20:12-13 "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works." 

The passage that I started with was like hitting a brick wall when I read it. The wind got knocked out of me and I just sat here. Do you realize the significance of those words? EVERY single little piddly little thing I have EVER thought or said or done. I will be judged for that. SCARY!!!!!!!!! Thankfully, the penalty for those sins and actions have already been paid for in full. But I really would rather not relive most of what I have said and done and thought. Honestly, I would guesstimate that over 98.9% of myself, I would rather not talk about or have Christ see or know about. And he's got a book. . . *groan* AN ENTIRE BOOK (probably more like volumes of books) about me and all that I have ever said or thought or done. *That's it. I'm being a hermit and never speaking or thinking again!* If only it were that simple. Think about just today. What have you said? Was EVERYTHING something you would be fine with Christ knowing about? How about thoughts? Actions? . . . . Yeah. . . that's just today. Now multiply 365 days x however many years you have been on this planet. Okay. Now multiply how many things you thought and did today that were wrong x the number of days you have been on the planet. Not pretty is it. . .

Words. Actions. Thoughts. Emotions. Things we will never be able to undue. We let the little things of life bother us to the point that we can't see anything else! We let what people say and do to us ruin our outlook of life. We don't focus on the big picture. If we did focus on why we're really here and what's going to happen after everything is said and done, I think we'd have far less drama and problems in our life. So someone said something you don't agree with. So you want to help fix that person that is not as spiritually mature as you (side note: Is it our job to fix people?). So what if you just decide to stay mad at someone who did something that made you spitting angry. It's not a big deal! REALLY?! Siblings in Christ, really?! We are supposed to show the world that there is something to this unconventional faith of ours! The world should WANT what we have. . . not want to get as far from us as possible!! We have to answer to God for EVERYTHING (and I do believe He means everything) we say, do, think, etc. Let's start acting like each action and thought and word has meaning (oh wait! They do!) Who do we think we are to hold grudges or say biting words and think we can get away with them without any repercussions?! I know we'll never achieve perfection this side of glory. . . but let's not get a defeatist attitude and not care because "Well, it's not like we can do anything else!"

Guys, let's really show the world around us (whether they be unbelievers or believers) that our faith is in something real. We must put feet to our faith! As James talks about, faith without works is dead! Let's prove that our Christianity means something to us! And if it's not enough to want to be like Jesus and become something He is proud to call family, read the Bible passage that I started with. You're going to answer for what YOU do. Not what Sally, Fish, or Mother does. What you do. I have been really working on this in my own life as of late. It's not my job to make sure others are responding correctly. I do what I do out of love for them and Christ, but how they respond is not my business. Only God can and will deal with them. I urge you to help me and yourself. Save yourself the heartache of disappointing your Lord and causing yourself grief because you got too caught up in the "little" things of life. Be above board in all that you strive to do. Do it as to the Lord. . . oh wait! It's all for Him anyways if you're a believer. I love you guys. You're my friends. Let's strive together to put feet to our real deal faith! Keep me accountable. I don't want to get so caught up in the unimportant things or trying to "fix" someone that I miss out on being the believer Christ wants me to be.