JULY 13, 2021

 “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” ― Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

PROVERBS 23-24

30I went past the field of a sluggard,

past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;

31thorns had come up everywhere,

the ground was covered with weeds,

and the stone wall was in ruins.

32I applied my heart to what I observed

and learned a lesson from what I saw:

33A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest—

34and poverty will come on you like a thief

and scarcity like an armed man. (24:30-34)

2 CORINTHIANS 5

 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin^b for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

JOURNAL 

What does it really mean to be "the righteousness of God"?  What does it mean to be "Christ's ambassador"? Ultimately I think it means to become the best of yourself...yet I also believe it means to not lose my unique identity. The only way that can occur is to rest in confidence of my talents, abilities and trust God for direction. To have my actions come from a place of being filtered through the Godly characteristics of love and honor...is to be disciplined in not defaulting to my emotions but rather to choose to operate from God's wisdom and love.

This requires a daily shift and surrender that means to not be ruled by feelings but rather to see and view feelings and emotions as tools and indicators rather than a default mode of operation. For example, I may feel fear and anxiety in certain situations but God has given me a brain and an ability to stand apart from those feelings and view them in the context of my current circumstance. To be able to pause and view them and not immediately react is the unique gift of being human. To then be able to filter all of that through the stories of scripture and the tenants of truth as well as pause to pray and ensure that any decision I make lines up with scriptural truth as well as internal truth...this is the operation process which will guide me into living a life that is the righteousness of God.

This is not easy...most times it is very hard to think it through rather than just react. But, if I am to live as a believer this is the life I have dedicated myself to live. This is the mode of operation that I have surrendered to for eternity.

 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

GALATIANS 2:20