She was Love

As you go through life there are many things that mold your character.  You would think character is mostly shaped in your childhood, as you learn right from wrong or the value of honesty.  But, in reality, your values and character are defined by the circumstances that push you to grow.  Through this, you realize traits you weren’t willing to sacrifice and hopefully grasp hold of a person who chases the image of Christ.

The last few weeks have been rather hard for me.  We’ve had a lot going on at work and my plate got really full, really quick.  I’ve noticed when working for a church, God tends to move in a form that creates an instant reality.  Maybe it’s because you have a mix of people that are right in line with the Spirit and pushing those who are struggling to become more.  Or maybe it’s because you’re trained to recognize the whispers from Christ pulling you back in line.  For me, the latter was the case.  

I’ve never been a prideful person, but the ugliest part of me crept up in the last few weeks.  The funny thing is I thought my reactions were completely justifiable.  It seems sometimes we make a claim that outside circumstances have created our state of being, but we hold no responsibility for our attitude playing any part.  What we don’t grasp hold of is that even if “outside circumstances” could validate our reaction in a “normal” situation, we’re followers of Christ and normal doesn’t apply to us.

So as I walked through this sudden awakening, I felt quite foolish.  I watched this pride consume my entire attitude and pretty soon I became Negative Nancy.  Luckily, God saves His children from their frailty.  He offers grace and new beginnings.  Through this process, however, it prompted several questions…

First of all, what would the world be like if love and humility poured out in every circumstance, despite the setbacks created? What if we viewed these setbacks as setUPS for a pouring out of blessings from God?  What if we lived our life in such a way that when we left this earth they would call us love?  LOVE…the very thing that Christ IS and asked us to be.

Imagine…Amy Kirkpatrick…she was love.  Wouldn’t that be such an honor?