Christ is your life, your new life!

I've always loved this passage -- Colossians 3, The Message. Isn't it cool how, when you're reading the Bible, it feels like the first time even though you might've read the same thing a hundred times before?


So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

[obscurity] 2.the condition of being unknown


You know how we do something -- and then someone else goes and gets the credit for it? You want to shout out and say, "Hey, that was me!" 


And hey, that's what copyright is for. (I should know. That's what we're studying in art.)


But let's say you just did something you find kind of hard, like performing in front of people. (Um, yeah. There's something about reading a book that just sounds more, oh, I don't know... relaxing?) And the next person up is even more freaked out than you were -- so you start cheering them on and saying, "Woo, go Dove!" and they end up with a smile on their face and a rockin' performance. 


Everyone tells her how great she did, and that she was definitely the best of all you. And you're just standing there, thinking, "Hang on -- I cheered. I put that smile on her face."


Because we're human and we like to be encourage and told how good we did and... what is it? Pride? Whatever it is, I know I feel that way sometimes. 


Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.


Like Christ. Jesus was content with being unknown for the time being. Why? Because He knew what was coming. He knew that God was going to be glorified. 


This isn't our one life. But you can't just finish off this one and go onto the next, like going from entree to main. Read that verse again -- we've gotta be with God. And then when Jesus comes back... we'll show up, too! -- the real, glorious us! 


So next time it's like I've kind of being shoved to the back, unknown, even if I've just changed the world -- so what? God will glorify Himself. 


Instead of wanting us to be glorified, let's let God do the glorifying! I totally forget the verse, but if we're living for God... He'll glorify himself through us. 


See things from His perspective. 


dear God,
i can be selfish. greedy. wanting more and more and more.
help me to be content with obscurity, just like Jesus was. Oh, He knew who He was -- and He knew where He was headed! What's earthly reward, congratulations? 
I'm here to live for You, Daddy. To serve You, to love You and to love like You love. Even though that's impossible. 
Oh, wait, it's not. 
Impossible on my own, yes -- but with You, anything is possible. ♥


Guide me, Daddy.
Open my eyes to see like You see. 
I get so impatient sometimes. 
Help me, God. 
IloveYou.