Recognition
My son Gavin is 4 months old today. His latest development is that he is now able to recognize Michelle and I. When he does, he gets a giant smile across his face, his nose scrunches, and he lets out his current version of a laugh. It is just about the greatest thing in the world. There is so much power in it. When he does it, I know that he is acknowledging that he trusts me, that he’s comfortable around me, and that he likes me. There isn’t much that can compete with the feeling that we get every time he recognizes us and responds.
And it’s got me thinking about two questions along these lines of recognition:
- Does the world recognize those of us that call ourselves Christian without us having to tell them? I mean, do they feel we are Christian because of the way we love them? Do they sense the Holy Spirit in our life and realize something is different? Do they trust us? Or do they only know what we believe because we verbally tell them? I hope people can recognize Christ in my life before I tell them.
- Does God recognize those of us that call ourselves Christian? I’m reminded of Matthew 7:21-24. Do we try and convince God through our words or actions that we are His follower or do we live in such a way that our dependence on Him is proof of it? Have we turned God or the Bible into a tool for us to advance our own intellect and egos or do we humbly submit to Him in every area? Are we actually following Him or expecting Him to keep up with us? Does God trust us? I hope God can recognize me as His follower without me trying to convince Him.
Posted by jeremy
This is the personal blog of Jeremy Jernigan. Husband, father, teaching pastor, and student of truth.
This is the personal blog of Jeremy Jernigan. Husband, father, teaching pastor, and student of truth.
In regards to your first question you asked I would say that it is certainly possible for the world to see it in us before we ever profess it! The testimony of my life attest to that fact in seeing the spirit of God in someone else. At the time I did not recognize that it was God working in his life because I didn’t know God, but I knew for sure there was something different in that persons life, in a good way, that gave me a thirst to know what it was, and a perseverance to get it however possible. If we are all made in the image of God, then it can be said that there are aspects of God in us all (believer or not), to which I believe it’s those aspects that help us recognize it in some one else’s life. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Living a Christ-like life around those who do not know him is just as capable of sharing God’s love as any other method! I say that because my life has been forever changed by it.
That’s super exciting about G$! I can’t wait to see him again. Last time I was there, he just sat there, lame! #2 is what bothered me so much about seminary. There wasn’t room for a relationship, there wasn’t room for faith and intellectualism. People had replaced a relationship with the divine for simply knowledge of him. Breaks my heart.
Z
The other day i was at Starbucks, and this woman asked me to watch her stuff, came back, and started talking to me. I told her what I did for a living, and she told me that she knew there was something about me, because I had this peace about me. Considering my usual spastic nature, I found that quite enjoyable.
Your kid is the cutest extra large baby since… well, since I was a baby.
Great comments!
The other thing this makes me think about is do I recognize GOD?? Do I see Him in the mundane, everyday things? Do I see Him in nature, and all around me? Do I see Him in the weak, the poor, the widow, the orphan?? And when I do see Him, when I do recognize Him, what is my reaction? Do I smile, showing that I trust and like Him? And not that DOING is a bad thing (it’s a very important part of following Jesus), but I wonder – am I comfortable just BEING with God and not feeling like I have to do, do, do in order to “earn” His love, acceptance, and His smile in return??
Just my thoughts . . . . thanks for sharing, J!
Andrea, I totally agree. Great insight. It seems at times that the ability to see God in everything of life is an acquired skill. Or at least we have to learn how to refocus our eyes.