Beyond this World

Before I begin I must first say Happy Resurrection Day! It's beyond "Easter"... and really that is what has led to me posting on this day vs waiting until tomorrow to spend time blogging.

On Thursday I began feeling challenged by God Almighty to go beyond this world. In fact, to be out of this world ~ and solely into Him alone.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 NIV

Perhaps it was a "pre - Easter" personal message straight from God to my heart. How often do we look at the world around us, even as Christians who are supposed to be set apart from it, and begin to mimic it just to fit in? How often do we judge one another on the worldly standard vs the standard of Jesus Christ? How often do we read self help books, yet fail to read the Word of God for direction on self correction?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-3 NIV

How often do WE conform to this world, even better yet ~ to conform to even a worldly view of Christianity? How often do we worship as we are told to ~ not as we are led to? How often do we pray because we are "supposed to" rather then out of personal desire? How often do we have church at HOME in our private place rather then just leave it up to someone else to perform for us?

My heart truly is broken ~ as I ask God to break mine for what breaks His. And let me tell you ~ it is so very sad, and heart breaking how many Christians are going through their day to day life living just like this world not looking/acting/talking/living any different then non Christians.  I know, because for too long I TOO have been in this trap. A trap of legalism, and even false "religion" if you will. My heart is broken because how often have I just done something because it was expected of me ~ rather then out of true desire of worship? Did you know, your entire day can be a form of worship? The birds do it. The flowers do it. Heck even weeds and rocks do it! They worship God Almighty with all that they are ~ because that is what they were created to do and there is no questioning and curiosity as to "what if". Do we? Do you? Do I?

Why not spend time this Resurrection Sunday, reflecting on how you can change your day to day life to let it be a form of worship?! What a GIFT of REDEMPTION that JESUS gave us, by HIS sacrifice ~ why would you just tarnish that by living a life no different then Sam Hill down the street who doesn't KNOW deep in his heart the gift that this is!?

I was born to praise HIM! I was born to worship HIM! I was born .... to share HIS goodness, graciousness, preciousness ~ not by the words out of my mouth but by the actions of my hands and my servants heart! I was born to focus on God, and to keep my eye on His will for me ~ not on this world and it's focus.

This was my Easter gift from Heaven ~ a true revelation that I have been longing to understand. Far sweeter then jellybeans and chocolate bunnies. Much more prettier then any "Easter" dress. More meaningful then any card, gift, or song. TRUE worship ~ begins with a heart focused on Him!