Sometimes I let fear of judgement get the best of me. Sometimes I let it control my decisions… and by sometimes I mean a LOT. It’s something I’ve been battling a lot recently, so I thought I would share about it because #vulnerability am I right?
I have always been a very hesitant person in my faith, as sad as that is for me to say. Lately I’ve really been trying to be as open about it as I can, because it was someone else’s openness that first introduced me to Jesus. But with that openness comes a lot of fear of what others will say or think. I’m afraid I will be labeled as some kind of “Jesus freak” by the people who just don’t understand. I’m learning (very slowly, but still learning) to embrace the inner Jesus freak. Sounds funny right? My biggest flaw (in my opinion) is that I often feel embarrassed to bring faith up in conversation, or to simply live it out despite what others are doing. I begin to feel ashamed of the “Jesus freak” in me, but I remind myself every day that I shouldn’t be ashamed to tell others about God, I should be ashamed NOT to!
Every day I wake up to TONS of new opportunities to tell other people about the love of Jesus. And that could mean literally anything, but most of all it means living my life as a reflection of that love. I want nothing more than to look more like Jesus… for people to know Him a little better having met me. Isn’t that the universal goal for all of us!?
There’s a song that has had a huge impact on my faith called “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns. The lyrics say “I don’t care if they remember me, only Jesus.” It couldn’t be more true, because it’s not about me, it’s all for His glory! I am going to have soooo many opportunities both on the World Race, and in every single day of my life, to introduce people to Jesus. We ALL do! Whether a student, businessperson, mother, doctor, teacher (you get the idea), we are ALL full-time missionaries called by God to make disciples! So start today, wherever you are. Embrace that inner Jesus freak, because you have the ability to show someone else what a Christ-centered life is like.
I’m learning to let go of the fear of judgement, because I’ve got an audience of One! No one else’s opinions are important, because what God thinks of me is all that matters. If everyone always agreed with how I live or the things I say, I’m probably doing something wrong. I want nothing more than to step out into the light and just do my thing without ever looking back! I can’t let external criticism mess with what I know is true. Remember, Jesus never let the judgement and condemnation define him, and we should live the same way!
On a totally different note, I recently hit 50% FUNDED! It blows my mind how much the Lord has provided through you all and I am SO grateful for every single dollar, prayer, and all the kind words. I never expected to feel so much peace amidst a process that should be so stressful! My next deadline is $10,000 by September, and I am fully confident that I will meet it!
So that’s pretty much it for now! Remember to live like Jesus today, living your life in a way that glorifies God no matter what everyone else is doing, and spreading His love every step of the way!
And don’t forget to embrace that inner Jesus freak! 🙂
