Be the Best Version of You





I don't know about you, but whether I am reading an excerpt from my devotional or spending personal time in God's Word, a blog post idea is usually given birth to.  I jot down a little note to myself in my planner and also mark-up my Bible or devotional with what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me.

While reflecting upon what I might write about tonight, I was looking through my planner and found a note I had written about an insight I received from my January 13th devotional reading.  I pondered it for a moment, and then continued looking at another notation I had written down a week prior regarding a different blog post idea.  Stopping for a moment, I prayed that the Lord would show me what He wanted me to write about.  After I finished praying, a phrase at the bottom of my planner page jumped out at me...




I was astonished!  Although I didn't realize it at the time I recorded my scrawly note,  the very insight the Holy Spirit revealed to me, directly related to this phrase at the bottom of the planner page!  It was then that I knew I was going to be writing about 2 Corinthians 10:11-12...

Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are
 commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

As bloggers, we are like modern day apostles - sharing the Gospel; testifying to God's great love and power; and encouraging obedience in both our own Christian walk and that of our readers.

I think it is true for most of us, that our blog posts, more times than not, are bolder than what our own face to face personal interaction might be...

I can remember years ago when AOL's instant messaging was all the rage - everyone had an AIM account.   For me it was a great way to stay connected to a loved one while they were overseas.   It was always so exciting to hear the alert sound when that person had sent me a message.  Although we were half a world apart from each other, instant messaging closed the gap, at many levels really...  I found that my conversations through instant messaging were much bolder than they ever would have been face to face with that person.

Are we a different version of ourselves in writing than we are face to face?

Could it be because we are hiding behind a desktop or a smart phone that our inhibitions disappear, and we share what's on our hearts more boldly.

In full disclosure, when I prepare blog posts, even though I know people read my posts, I don't seem to think in those terms as I write.  It's almost like I forget that anyone reads them.   As a result, I write more freely and boldly.   Because I can't see the stranger on the other side of the world who reads my post or in a more intimidating sense, the people who actually know me personally, you could say I write boldly because of the safety my desktop screen provides.

Speaking specifically to bloggers, the reality is, many times we are laying our souls bare in humility about all that the Lord has taught us; there is nothing that we are hiding from our readers.

Further still, there is no hiding from the God who sees.   The Lord knows what I have written and whether my actions align with what the Holy Spirit has laid on my heart to share.

 With boldness in writing for the Lord and about the things of the Lord, comes accountability...

In my blog post, Blogger Heal Thyself, I confessed that too often I blog about ways to encourage a spiritual walk, but end up only writing about it and not actually doing it!

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22

The Apostle Paul is telling the brethren at Corinth that everything he writes to them he is also doing.

Oh how I was convicted anew.  Am I practicing what I preach?!  Do those who know me, see in me the walk of Faith that I have encouraged?  Do those who don't know me, see a walk of Faith - the walk of Faith that the Holy Spirit prompted me to write about?


 MAY WE LIVE OUT OUR LIVES IN HOLY 
BOLDNESS - NOT JUST IN OUR WRITING, BUT WHOLLY LIVED OUT FOR THE LORD.


BE A CONSISTENT VERSION OF YOU!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And there was more treasure to be mined from the passage in 2 Corinthians...

...Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are
 commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
2 Corinthians 10:12


The Barnes notes on the Bible has this to say about that passage...

"The sense of Paul is, that they made themselves the standard of excellence; that they were satisfied with their own attainments; and that they overlooked the superior excellence and attainments of others. This is a graphic description of pride and self-complacency; and, alas! it is what is often exhibited. How many there are, and it is to be feared even among professing Christians, who have no other standard of excellence than themselves. Their views are the standard of orthodoxy; their modes of worship are the standard of the proper manner of devotion; their habits and customs are in their own estimation perfect; and their own characters are the models of excellence, and they see little or no excellence in those who differ from them. They look on themselves as the true measure of orthodoxy, humility, zeal, and piety; and they condemn all others, however excellent they may be, who differ from them."

 But as I read those verses, another insight was impressed upon me, you might say in the opposite sense...

Do not be overly critical of yourself by comparing your work and your walk with other bloggers and believers...

As a blogger, thinking you are not as popular as other bloggers; that your posts aren't as eloquent; that the content isn't as engaging; or that your pictures are amateur looking...

OR

As a believer, that you don't pray as often as a sister in Christ does; that your devotion and Bible time aren't as organized and in-depth; that you aren't good at evangelizing door to door; or that your ability to show hospitality is lacking, etc., etc.,

 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:4-8

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

God never intends for us to be like another blogger or believer in our gifting...

He intends for us to blog how He inspires us - within our own unique gifting using the experiences He has ordained in our own lives.

If we all wrote exactly the same, there would be no point to visit other blogs.   Different blogs and writing styles speak to different people in different ways.  Your blog might be written in just the perfect way for Betty to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time.  While Susie's blog would not have had the same effect, BUT WAS ABLE to encourage Lucy with great hope in the midst of heartache.  God uses each of us uniquely for His good purposes.

Much the same can be said about the life of a Believer, our unique personalities and experiences reach people who can relate to us.  Not everyone relates the same way to every person.  Every Believer has different steps ordered by God for him/her to take; a path that He has ordained so that they are the best equipped to accomplish the unique works He has prepared and set aside for them to do beforehand.

Think about that!  God has chosen us as bloggers and as believers to accomplish His Kingdom work in our own unique way!  A way that only WE can!

We may not have a gift for evangelizing door to door, but our gifting for writing blogs reaches to the other side of the world.

We may not have the prayer and devotional life that Sally has, but we communicate with God throughout the day, His Word hidden in our hearts, as we serve God by serving others.


BUT...  God does intend for all of His children to be imitators of Christ...

Bloggers and Believers should strive to imitate Christ through obedience in their daily walk.  Now that IS an example EVERY blogger and believer should follow and attain to...

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.   Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.   Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21



 MAY WE ONLY HAVE EYES FIXED ON JESUS, AND TO SEE CHRIST IN OTHERS, REJOICING IN THEIR SUCCESSES AND GIVING GLORY TO GOD FOR OUR OWN.


BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOU...

THE YOU GOD CREATED YOU TO BE.

You might find me on these link-ups:
Grace & Truth Link-upWoman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4eInspire Me Monday Titus 2 TuesdayA Wise Women Builds Her HomeA Look at the Book,  Sunday StillnessThe Weekend BrewSpiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me Grace, Testimony TuesdayWomen with Intention WednesdaysStill SaturdayGood Morning MondaysTell His StoryFaith & Fellowship Blog HopMotivate and Rejuvenate MondaysBe SaltyMonday's MusingsThe Art of Home-Making MondayTuesday TalkWaiting on Wednesday, Reflect His Love and Glory  Words of Comfort Link-upWholehearted WednesdaysTell it to Me TuesdayFaithful at Home Fridays, Faith 'N FriendsTGI SaturdaysSitting Among Friends Encourage Me Monday Words with Winter Essential FridaysSo Much at Home Family, Friendship & Faith House to Home  ,Wonderful Wednesday , Monday of Many BlessingsLiteracy Musings Mondays,Imparting GraceSHINE Blog Hop Dance with JesusGive Me GraceBooknificent Thursdays UNITE Cozy Reading SpotMaking Your Home Sing Monday Social Butterfly Sundays  Let Us Grow Small Wonder Link-up Winsome Wednesday Growing in Grace Thursday After My CoffeeRewind Friday Fresh Market Friday Moments of Hope Wonderful Wednesdays Christian Blogger Link-Up Tea & Word Tuesday Heart Encouragement Thursday Hearts for Home

Comments

  1. Thank you for this post! Yesterday's sermon was about not only hearing the word but putting it into action. Now I read this...God is speaking to me:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie, You are very welcome!

      Praise God!

      Thanks for taking time to comment. I appreciate it!

      Delete
  2. Beautifully written and a timely reminder...thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words.

      You are very welcome! :-)

      Delete
  3. I love this idea and quote. I also share more personal stories than i intend to when writing, but I am also ver willing to talk about my deployment with anyone who has questions. Thanks for sharing your heart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda,

      Thank you so much for sharing a part of your own blogging story. And thank you very much for serving our country!!

      You are welcome. :-)

      Delete
  4. This is such beautiful, edifying advice! It is so easy to feel so inferior to others in the body of Christ as we see them operating fully within the gifts God has given them. My dear godly mother used to tell me how when she was a little girl, she would look up to different ladies in the church and long to be like them. She would make comments about how she wanted to be like "Sis. so-and-so" when she grew up. One day, she heard someone talking about this very subject, and they mentioned how when we say we wish we could be as godly as someone else, we do not realize what that person may have had to go through to BE that godly. We look at others and we admire how God is using them, but it could very well be that the pain of their past is the very thing God has repurposed into the godliness we see today. I know one thing, you are such a shining, bright light in your corner of the web, and I just love and appreciate you so much and the encouragement you always bring to me...both here and through your precious comments on my blog. I am so blessed to know you, sweet friend. I do trust God reveals to you how very precious and special you truly are. Thank you for this post...I needed it so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl, Your comments always bless me abundantly! I always learn something from them, and this comment was no different! You have so much wisdom to offer testifying to the wonderful legacy your parents left you to be Christ-like in all your ways. Thank you so much for sharing this here. :-)

      Your words of encouragement have blessed me tremendously. You are such a cheerleader for me, and I want you to know how very much it means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

      You are welcome sweet friend! Sending you much love!

      Delete
  5. Yes! Living out what we write. This has been a good reminder. Thanks! Coming to you from Inspire Me Mondays #18

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda, You are very welcome.

      I'm so glad you stopped by! :-)

      Delete
  6. A good reminder to be true and consistent in every area. I'm glad we are all unique.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginger, Me too!

      Thank you so much for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Mary, Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it!

      You are very welcome!

      Delete
  8. Excellent point. We need to work towards presenting a consistent picture of Jesus whether in word or in person. Thanks for your post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, You are welcome!

      Thank you for taking the time to comment. :-)

      Delete
  9. The 'most successful' times of my life have come when I have gone outside my comfort zone. Visiting from Booknificent Thursdays at Mommynificent.

    Here's my bookish post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LuAnn, Thank you so much for sharing more encouragement on the subject. I appreciate it very much! :-)

      Thanks for the visit!

      Delete
  10. So easy to fall into that same trap as a writer. Write about what needs to be done, only fail to actually do it ourselves! Ha! Praying alongside you for our lives to stretch toward living as a our best selves.
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lori, Amen!

      Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!

      :-)

      Blessings to you too!

      Delete
  11. Thank you for the good reminders! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica, You are very welcome! :-)

      Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  12. Well said encouragement and a challenge for all of us who write to make a difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  13. This is a good word, and I love the picture you chose at the top! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week!
    Tina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina, Thank you! On both counts! :-)

      You are welcome!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

Popular Posts