This little light of mine

Sharing my faith is hard. It's uncomfortable. It makes me feel stupid sometimes when people ask questions I don't know the answer to, or I fumble over my words. A lot of times I feel guilty because of the sin that's plagued my heart. I don't want to just be labeled another hypocrite like so many Christians are labeled these days. I also don't want to be that "weird girl" that doesn't have friends, which stems from my idol of approval (see blog post number 1).

But you know what? That's all so selfish of me. And when I think of the grace of God, and of Jesus's sacrifice for us, I realize how unimportant my own feelings are. I realize that it doesn't matter if I fumble over my words. I can't save people. Phew!! What a comfort. To know that someone's eternity doesn't depend on whether I say the right things or not. However, I am the vessel that God uses to speak to them.

You can't just assume people know who Jesus is. I've been shocked and surprised at the lack of knowledge people have. You assume that people living in foreign, unknown lands have probably never heard of Jesus, but here? In Raleigh? In America, where we can practice religion freely without fear of persecution? Down here in the South, where there's a church nearly on every corner? 

Don't just assume because someone taught you about God that your neighbor knows. In fact, I think it's pretty safe to assume that a lot of peoples knowledge of salvation may be skewed. That's a call to me. That's a duty of mine. As a disciple of Christ, I can't just sit around and let other people wonder to themselves. As uncomfortable as it may be, taking a stand for Christ is what I was called to do! Look at this passage in Romans 10:

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14, 15 ESV)

I come in contact with people every single day that aren't believers. I interact with some people who literally despise God, some that think good works are good enough, and some that just don't really know enough to make opinions. And that's where I come in. That's where I can let my light shine before others, so they can know that I work for a greater purpose (Matthew 5:16). 

And I see God's faithfulness in full force! I've had families start going to church again through me loving Summit. I've had coworkers come with me to church, after never going to church growing up. I've had someone message me on Facebook because she saw my love for Jesus and was interested, and now is running her own race full force toward Jesus. All because God chose to use little ol' me to speak His truths.

And it is all because I am not ashamed of Jesus. I am not afraid of rejection anymore. I am not ashamed to boldly proclaim God's love for everyone (Romans 1:16). I know God's call for my life to be brave and strong in the midst of struggles (1 Corinthians 16:14).

By the way, please don't read this and think that I'm perfect. Please don't assume that I run around every day with my bible singing worship songs and preaching the gospel to others. I am still a sinner. I am still unclean and stumble. But- I am a child of the one true King. I don't have to worry because Jesus paid for my sins on the cross, and He paid for yours too. It's not about being better than anyone else, it's about understanding that I'm the worst of the worst, and Jesus still loves me.

How can I not tell about the greatest thing that's ever happened to me?

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.....