Today has been a really great day. I'm thankful that Jesus has given me grace to help me understand Pre-Calculus and given me a youth group that always leaves me smiling afterwards :)
The hair wasn't working right so I just pinned it all back, but I think it looks cute. Another insecurity would probably be my hair (on occasion). Back in middle school I went through this whole phase of wanting to change practically everything about it, so I highlighted it, dyed it, and permed it, all to find out I love my hair the way it is. I love the color and even though sometimes I wish it were easier to curl, I like having it straight. This insecurity I've gotten over, but it was a big deal to me a few years ago.
In my daily devotions, it talked about us loving people everyday, not just on Valentine's day. And not just the people we like and who like us, but those people who are harder to love. I feel like us girls can be quick to judge other people based on their looks. I mean, we all have first impressions, but we shouldn't always go by them. 1 Samuel 16:7 says "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.' " Physical appearance makes no difference to God and it shouldn't make a difference to us either.
I will admit though, even if it's not based on looks, there are people in my life who are harder for me to love. But Jesus calls us to love them. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing for others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" (Matthew 5:43-44, 46-47). We are called to love the unlovable, and Jesus perfectly demonstrates how it's done. I mean, He loves me... so obviously He's pretty good at this kinda stuff. But just reading through the Gospels, you see the kind of people He hung out with; who He reached out to.
In my book called The One Year Devos for Teens 2 by Susie Shellenberger on the devotional for February 15th she says "How will the world know we're Christians? If we tote our new leather-bound Bibles? (Not hardly.) If we wear a cool gold-plated cross around our neck? (Even Madonna has been known to do that!) If we quote Scripture? (Satan did that.) They will know we are Christians by our love." But something else that stood out to me was when Susie pointed out "They'll know we are Christians NOT by our love for God." I mean, when you think about it, it's easy to love God. Because He loves me and sent His Son to die for me and is always there for me. "Instead, others will know we are Christians by our love for each other." That's the tough part, but remember, Christ hasn't called us to anything He hasn't done and won't call us to do it without being there to help.
John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."
I think hair is the one thing a lot of guys obsess over just as much as girls. I know I do. XD
ReplyDeleteIt's true that there's a lot of things that are considered Christian that the world does too--Makes you want to be more of an example.