a good place to start.

I was thinking the other day about how easy it is to fall into the sin and ways of the world. If we're completely honest--regardless of whether it's lifestyles society promotes, movies, music, etc.--they're all very captivating and have our attention much more so than how we're to live as Christ-followers.  It's exciting, fun, pleasurable, self-indulgent, immediately gratifying...shall I go on?  We get caught up in its alluring grasp.  How do I know this??  Well by experience of course.

And then one person came to my mind...my little sister.  I love my little sister.  She is not your typical 19 year old by any standards of the world.  She is so convicted of living in a way that doesn't follow and pattern the ways of the world; and so, regardless of what other people think, I see her strive to live a pure life--her thoughts, her actions--with the mindset of seeking God and glorifying Him in all things.  She's one of my heroes.  I'm her older sister, but honestly I look up to her more than she looks up to me.  For good reason too.  I know we aren't to compare ourselves to each other because we're all fallen, and Christ is who we need to be looking to and modeling our life after.....but I want to be like her when I grow up.  Not thinking of how to justify things I know I shouldn't; or that I have it all together; or that I've grown a lot and come a long ways, so for now I'm gonna take a break.  Nope.  And while the two of us are very different, and at times I feel like the "rebel" of the family (yes dad, I still want my nose pierced. sorry ;), I get to have her as an awesome role model!

Lately, I've been convicted of living so selfishly, and when I think about the life we are called to live (like Francis Chan describe in the video from my last post)....I get overwhelmed and don't even know where to start.  How do we reach the point where Paul and the disciples were??  Where the Korean missionaries who were kidnapped were??  I look at how far I have to go, how far away that seems, and get overwhelmed and discouraged; then I just stay where I am and don't take any steps forward. 

 But what if I stop looking so far ahead?  What if I looked right in front of me.

What if I just start by taking it one day, one step forward at a time. 

Get into the Word.  Pray with fervor, forgiveness, and thankfulness.  Work at loving as Christ did.

What if I really start striving to live a pure life, in mind and body, longing to seek God and glorify Him with my life. 

That's a good place to start. 

♥ C