My 1st devotion - August 6, 2007

Ok, so this is my 1st blog outside of my myspace page ramblings. I actually started this b/c I am horrible at remembering - or actually taking the time - to do my daily devotions. Lately I have been noticing that I am a lot more tense and irritable and I realized that I haven't been spending the time with God that I know I need to be. Sooo, here goes....

I have done a lot of reflecting since church yesterday, and this whole series that we have been doing has really gotten me thinking. We have been talking about "Walking Across the Room". And I have to admit that this is The hardest thing for me to do. People think I am outgoing, but I am exactly the opposite, I really have to force myself to push aside my fear and talk to people because I am so afraid of being rejected. Lately I have been looking at it in a different matter though. Am I am so afraid that someone will laugh at me that I am willing to let them go to hell? What is a the chance of rejection worth in the long run? How many friends have I cost myself, and how many souls have I failed to reach?
Pastor Konan said something that really stuck with me- "the closer we walk with Christ, the more people we should be influencing." Wow, what does that one little statement say about me. I have a hard time sharing my faith with my friends, let alone strangers. And what's worse is that I should be chomping at the bit to share with my friends, b/c don't I want to see them in Heaven too? In conclusion I am so thankful to God that he bestows grace and forgiveness to me and I repent for all the wasteful time I have spent worrying that people will reject what I have to share, b/c what I have to share is so important and so much bigger then me, that it is irresponsible of me to keep it to myself. If God was willing to give up his own son for me, shouldn't I be willing to give of myself for him?

Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?