The Key To Accomplishing More

 by Chris Jones

If there’s a verse I’ve heard a million times, it’s probably II Chronicles 7:14. It’s the one that says, “…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

It sounds easy, right? Is it possible that the answer to all of our issues is just a prayer away?

If I’m reading this correctly, humility is also a significant part of the restoration process. Unfortunately, humility isn’t a natural component of our lives. I know I miss this, so many times. Even in doing what I believe to be right, I tend to get so focused on my call and perceived responsibilities that I take too much on myself. Rarely, in those moments, do I stop to remember that there’s really nothing I can do in my own power. My only success lies in turning to The One who holds all things in His hands, and has the power to make things right.

The problem? I ignore one command, designed to stop me in my tracks, bringing me into alignment with His plan, “humble yourself”. The process of our country (our cities, our neighborhoods, our families) being healed, begins with us choosing a lifestyle of humility, not just knowing that we’re not able, but understanding that fact so completely that we live our lives on our knees.

It’s a difficult process for some, giving up control, admitting our weakness. It’s ironic but true, that our greatest advances for the Kingdom of God will happen in the moments that we stop trying, confess our complete lack of ability, and turn the fight over to God. Humility is the Key.

What Do You See In The Mirror

 by Chris Jones

We have love/hate relationships with mirrors.  They confirm both what we do and don’t want to know about ourselves.  We linger in front of them when we like what we see, and avoid them at all costs when we know we won’t.  Like it or not, they can’t help but be an honest reflection of who we are, physically anyway.

What if there was a mirror that reflected our personalities?  Would we linger, admiring the quality of our character, or hurry by, satisfied instead to believe the myths of who we think ourselves to be?

If social media is good for anything, it’s a relatively effective mirror.  In it, we may see how our personalities might be perceived by others.  Look at your last couple weeks of facebook posts, for example.  Is the person  you see humble or full of pride?  Are they confident or insecure?  Do they draw attention to themself or promote others?  Do they complain and worry too much?  Do they project faith or fear?

Matthew 5:13-16 provides a very simple and practical image we should find reflected in that mirror.  We should be salt.  We should be light.  We should make our world and everything in it better.

Take some time to check the mirror today.  Does it reflect what you want people to see?  Does it reflect an accurate image of yourself?  Does it reflect the image of Christ?

Nobody Likes A Know It All

 by Chris Jones

Is it OK to admit that I like eavesdropping on people’s conversations?  I really do.  I’m not talking about tapping people’s cell phones or anything.  I’m talking about just sitting quietly and listening as people converse in public spaces.  You can gather some good information, listening to people.  You get a sense of the hierarchy within a group of friends by listening.  You also discover that, within any group, there’s always a “know-it-all”.

I had a high-school friend whom my dad jokingly referred to as “The Book of Knowledge”.  He talked as if he knew a little something about everything.  He was usually wrong though, way wrong.  Overhearing his conversations could be both entertaining and excruciating.  Although no one could possibly know how many people he negatively influenced with his misinformation, you can be sure that his “know-it-all” attitude turned many people off.  It usually has a way of doing that.  Nobody likes a “know-it-all”.

It’s really all about your attitude and the way you approach conversations.  As Christians, it’s undeniable that we’re given the responsibility to take the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.  Still, isn’t there something ridiculous about acting like we’ve even begun to have God figured out?  Compared to everything there is to know about Him, we must confess that we know a relatively small amount.  This doesn’t exactly give us cause to act like subject-matter experts.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t share what God has revealed to us, but we should do it with the right attitude, with humility and in love.  God must be experienced.  The message you carry is precious.  Don’t ruin your opportunity to share it by acting like a “know-it-all”.