A Christian Reflection/Food for Thought

I posted this on myspace and realized I should really just put this on here.... so here you have it.

I started thinking about friendship. What kind of friend am I? Who am I in the eyes of others?

I want people to see Jesus when they see me. I want the fruit of the spirit to be so abundant in my life. I want to be filled with peace, and have patience, and self-control. I think those are three things I struggle with most.

I realized I am part of a community that does not really have a real good reputation: Christians.

Does anyone remember DC Talk? 90's Christian Rock band, but they tried to start out as rap, but it was not that great. But still classic. Anyway, one of their songs: What if I stumble? Starts with this quote:

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

HOW TRUE IS THAT??

How we treat others is a reflection of who Jesus is in our lives. The time and dedication and availability we give others is a reflection of how we value what God gives us. What if we prayed to God and he said "Stop, sorry, I don't have time" or let's say you could call God on the cell.... (I am surprised some weird group has not claimed this attempt) and you got the voicemail OVER and OVER and never a call back or the VM saying "Sorry, I probably won't call you back, because I have more important things than you". Wouldn't be so great. I told a friend this a week ago after he had his heart broken that you can never depend on a person for happiness or fulfillment, but God only to be that happiness and peace. People, all people, will let you down or disappoint you. God never will. While we have our best friends... they will be selfish. I have those moments, and sometimes I recognize them and feel utter remorse and I know that is the Holy Spirit. I am blessed with driving time to work to call people back, or on the way to something. Just to show respect for someone who made the time to call me. Honesty is another huge factor. Anyone who knows me knows that I value honesty so much. It is part of your character and what you stand for. Once you lie to me, it takes me a long time to rebuild trust, and lying more really is not helping any. Dragging me along, pretending to be nice, really does not do it for me. I usually can see right through it, but never want to jump the gun or over analyze something.

I also realized that one of my closest friends while in college is not a Christian and she was such a blessing to me since we had an English class together. Back when I was in a bad roommate situation after my freshman year I had to get out. No one would help me, and I felt so alone... and she was right there. Helping me move my stuff and gave me a place to say. I never got on her for how she lived her life, because our friendship was not based on being bible study friends or anything. I lived my life, she saw it, took notice and respected it. Maybe it has impacted her. She always apologizes if she cusses around me and you know... I value that more than anything because it is genuine.

Where is all this coming from? Why is it a little scattered in thought? Well it is my mind at work, and the things I think about. Why can't people respect the time put in and call me back? Then I sound just as selfish as I think others are being. And that makes me judgmental. I guess the actions of others give me the opportunity to reflect on my own life and see if those things can be found in me, and what am I doing about making change or giving them over to Lord. I want to be the friend who will always pour the love on them that God has called me to. I will always have at least 5 minutes, I will always have my phone on in case anyone needs anything (my youth kids can attest to that), I will always answer email, comments, and I will always be here. Never to judge. If I am just needed to listen. I thank the friends in my life who do this for me. I know everything in life can be busy, and I appreciate it when someone takes the time to talk. I look forward to when Amanda calls every few days and we text in the times in between. She is the one God has blessed me with to tell it how it is. I had a great friend back awhile ago like that, then she got married and then that was it. Phone calls stopped, ignored me at church, didn't respond to emails. Kinda turns me off to marriage if that is the woman I would be become in that to others. My availability to serve and love on others should never change.

So, I don't know how to really conclude this, but whoever does read this:
Don't be the Christian that the world doesn't see Jesus in
Carry the heart of Christ IN you. Love.
Be available
Be honest
Selflessness.

I am not the author on relationships or life... only God is the true author... who created it all.