Colossians 1:27, To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:  which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Life can become full of commotion with things we need to do for work, kid’s schedules, etc. and we end up finding that is what we are living for.  The world needs to see Christ in you, the hope of glory.  They are hungry for hope and I would bet that quite often, you are too.  We all need hope and the great thing is that if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior that hope lives in you!  That same power that rose Jesus from the dead lives in you, but in order for others, or even you to see it you must spend time alone with Him.

It’s crazy, but here in Tennessee, and maybe where you live too it is amazing the difference in how people live from one county in the state to another.  When we sold the house we didn’t move that far but it is a different county and one day the neighbor lady was talking with me and they had just moved from the same county and she said, “It seems good to be out of the craziness of the lifestyle of that county and back to reality.”  It actually made sense to me when she said it, which was almost scary.  The focus of life seemed much more self-motivated (as in only motivated if it would benefit themselves) and centered, doing, having, gaining, striving, and keeping up an “image” of wealth, and there doesn’t seem to be much time for other people in so many people’s lives.  I am sad that I didn’t even really get to know my neighbors there.  I have only lived here for a couple of months and have had more conversations with my neighbors here than I did the entire time I lived over there.  How sad!  We are not called to live lives where we are recluse and only associate with those close to us, we are called to reach the world with who Jesus is.  I can remember preachers telling our congregations to “reach out to your neighbors and share the love of God with them” and thinking that would be totally inappropriate in our neighborhood.  That is wrong, we need to reach beyond those barriers that we have allowed to be put up, regardless.  I remember back in the day when my children were really little and I had a friend named Alice and she told me one day that she had tried desperately to not become friends with anyone at that church because they were leaving for the mission field and she didn’t want to have to experience that loss when they left.  I was so persistent though in reaching out to her until we became friends that she finally gave in and yes, it was really tough when they left, but I will value that friendship forever.  We were created for relationships and that is the best way to reach others with the hope that is within you.  Be persistent in reaching out to others with the love of Christ and His hope.

Maybe today you are struggling with low self-image issues and you need to remind yourself of who you are in Him!  Don’t listen to what other people may say or think about you, God knows and He will sustain you and guide you.  Focus on Him and the fact that it is His Spirit that lives within you and guides you.  Don’t allow satan the opportunity to keep you from what God is calling you to because of other people.  Dig into His Word and ask Him to help you remember throughout your day that it is what He says and what He knows about you that matters. It is His hope within you that needs to be seen. Other people can think what they want, but God knows you and all that He created you to be.  He knows your heart.  Write out some affirmations and carry them with you reminding yourself of who God says you are and His calling on your life.  Don’t allow satan to have this victory even if all hell seems to be coming against you.  God sees He cares, and He’s got you in the palm of His hand.  Trust Him! 

Sometimes we can be so focused on our schedules, our struggles, and/or what we need personally that we don’t take the time to reach out. I can tell you that reaching out and doing for someone else is what will help you gain perspective in your own situation.  God wants to reach the world with His hope and love and that takes us doing our part.  We cannot be so consumed with ourselves that we cannot take the time to reach out to others.  We need to remember as it says in Acts 17:28a, “for in Him we live and move and have our being,”  We are nothing without Jesus.  He is the one who gives us our talents and abilities, and He has all of your answers to everything you may face in life or that you may strive to do.  Seek Him with your whole heart and allow Him to reach others through you.  Don’t get caught up in things that aren’t going to matter.  Allow who He is to consume you until others can’t help but see Him in you.  

Quote:  “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt