Unexpected Authenticity...

Connecting people everday to the real Jesus in a real way.

That's our church's new tag line. I LOVE IT. What a statement. Hello everyone! This particular part of God's Bride's body is about authentically representing Jesus. And what I am most thrilled about with this new "push" is the dual nature of what "authenticity" means. And I was thinking at first, cool. I can do that. I can be authentic (cause I'm thinkin' all about it cause of my friend Andrea's blog : ) ). But it's not just about me being me and being real. There is undeniable glory for Him when He brings me out of sin and into a restored relationship with Him. Amen? But there's another piece...The idea of authentically representing JESUS to people. Wow. I don't typically do a very good job of really, really looking like Him. Tall order, huh? Requires something entirely different than just being me and being willing to share my faults and God's power to overcome them with other people. So I have to be on my game. On His game! And how great that I get to hide away behind Him and let Him be bigger than me. I don't like how I represent NEAR as much as I like the way He loves on people. So my new endeavor is to be what people think Jesus looks like. Weird, but when you think about it, it would make sense that His physical appearance would look like, well.....everyone. And the spiritual appearance, well we are to press on toward that prize of holiness, right? So, inside, those who claim Him bear His mark anyway....

Good grief, I muddy the waters though. I get in the way. I am hopefully flawed. Full of hope that He who began a good work in me will carry it through to completion to the glory of God the Father. Why is it so stinkin' hard? This nature that nurses pride and self-glorification. That swears over and over that I need "me-time"--what the heck!? It's not about me! Yeah. If I could just remember that. It's not enough to want it. As Brian pointed out to me not too long ago, "There is no such thing as 'try'. There is only 'do' or 'do not do'." Try is removed from the equation because it is transitory. It simply means you are about to 'do' something or 'not do' something. It's the decision. It's deceptive though, isn't it, because when we say we're trying to do something, we almost, almost give ourselves credit for it. As if it's almost as good as done. I'm going to think more about that one.......I'm in my circular thinking pattern, and that means that I'm about to get really boring and a little nutty on paper.

Have a blessed day. Don't try to. Just do. See it all as a blessing. No matter what it is. Much love, Crista (now running in circles in my head....)