Hey guys, I have the immense pleasure of introducing you to my friend Bethany. She and her husband are such a sweet couple! Aren't they adorable? I know there are lots of people out there who can relate with her story as well. I have this daily struggle between living in faith and living in selfishness that she talks about. You won't want to miss this today!
Hey guys! My name is Bethany. I feel so honored to be writing for Jennifer's "Faith Spotlight"!
I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to write when Jennifer first asked me to guest post, but then I got to thinking about what the Lord has been teaching me over and over again in this season of my life.
So, here's my heart:
All of my life I feel like I have always passed my responsibilities as a Christian onto the next stage of my life. Does that make sense? I would always think, oh after I graduate I'll help those in need, or no after I have my own house, or after I'm married, or when I'm older. My fear and selfish pride have gotten in the way of me loving people and evangelizing to them. Pretty ridiculous isn't it?
Sometimes I think to myself, when what the last time I actually talked to someone about Christ? Or when was the last time I helped someone who was in need? My heart breaks when I realize that I can't even think of the last time I did either of those things. I'm a Christian...but sometimes (more often than not) my life doesn't show it. I'm sick of making excuses for myself. How many times have I driven my someone that clearly needs help and I pass them by because I don't want to get 'hurt' or be embarrassed?
So many people are hurting. And I feel like all I ever do is sit and watch. Feeling bad isn't enough anymore. God calls us to reach out to the hurting and to love them unconditionally and passionately. His call is not to be taken lightly.
He has shown me that I need to stop waiting. I need to stop putting off what needs to be done. I need to stop telling God to hold on. I need to get rid of fear. I need to be bold and live my life unashamed for Christ. I need to be real. I need to get uncomfortable and dirty. I don't need to wait to go to another country, there are people hurting HERE. In my town. Right now. I don't need to put off God's calling anymore. Gone are all of my excuses.
This life is not my own. That is so easy to say, but to really give your life to be used by Christ fully is such a daunting task. BUT it is the most beautifully rewarding thing you can possibly do with your life.
So I encourage all of you, as much as I encourage myself. Lets get out of our comfort zones and change this world through the love of Christ - not just with our words but truly with our actions!
~ Bethany
Thanks so much girl! One way you guys can get involved is to head over to Compassion's Cry
Investigate
Immerse
Ignite!
10 comments:
What a wonderful faith spotlight! What you said actually compliments the sermon at my church from yesterday. Perhaps this is something I should pay attention to.
"I need to stop telling God to hold on. I need to get rid of fear. I need to be bold and live my life unashamed for Christ. I need to be real. I need to get uncomfortable and dirty."
Love this! What a great post today!
She seems so sweet. I like how she said that she doesn't need to go anywhere since people are in need HERE, right around us. I think many people forget that. Great Spotlight Jen! :)
Emily w/Amazing Grapes
Great post, and you are absolutely right! I find myself doing the same thing sometimes, pushing off service to when I have more money, time, etc. But that time may never come, and then I will have wasted all those years. Thanks for the reminder!
Your post really hit home for me. I can totally relate. I far to often allow my fearful thoughts to control my actions or lack there of. Both of you ladies are beautiful inside and out. So glad I stumbled about your blogs! :)
Alicia
This is an inspiring post. I was just talking to my husband yesterday about my frustration with my own complacency. "I want to be a woman who is busy for the Lord," I concluded. Thank you for the encouragement to do so.
Thanks to you, I am now sponsoring a little girl in Brazil as of a few minutes ago. THANK YOU for the inspiration and for leading me to where I've been needing to go, but hadn't quite found yet.
Jen - that is so awesome! I'm excited to see what God does!
Bethany, your heart is inspiring. thanks for joining the movement!
So true! I can't remember what I was talking about when I said this, but recently I told a friend that you do what you can with what you have. And I've been thinking about that lately, too, particularly with my financial giving. It's something I don't take as many risks for, in His name. I've started to, slowly but surely. It won't matter in eternity if I didn't save as compulsively as I intended. What will matter is what I gave, for whom, and why.
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