I envy people who lose themselves in their greatest moments.  I envy people who can dance like no one is watching or sing like no one is singing.

When I sing (alone, in the car, nowhere near traffic), I hear the old voices from history tell me how bad my voice is…

When I dance… well, I am the awkward white guy who can’t dance.

The thing that’s hardest for me is to allow myself to express my passion fully – to go “all in” and lose myself to the moments and cause.

Somewhere along the way, I learned that doing so could have tragic consequences and I avoid that pain by always maintaining a mask of confident, outward control.

But now, since I write a blog called “displayed faith”, I need to actually display my faith and that requires a level of openness that is sometimes uncomfortable.

“While He [Jesus] was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.  But some were indignantly remarking to one another, ‘Why has this perfume been wasted?  For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they were scolding her.” Mark 14:3 – 5

To which Jesus replies:

“‘She has done a good deed to me…Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.’” Mark 14:6 – 9

When you focus solely on the worship of God, you will leave a mark.  This woman gave up something of great value and opened herself up to criticism for doing something logically wrong according to worldly wisdom…and God used her as an example of displayed faith that goes all in!

Go All In

This passage talks about a woman who ignores the negativity around her as she goes all in on bringing a valuable offering of worship before Christ because she knows who He is.

This is tough, and I struggle with this also.  I hear those doubting voices in my head telling me to hold back, or go a safer route – stick to the known path.

There will always be things and people wanting you to choose temperance and moderation in your faith…

What do they gain from your temperance?  Why do they want you to slow down?

Losing myself

I still put words in others mouths and listen to the negativity swirling around.

Some have even told me to stop writing so much about faith because it will hinder my career pursuits.

Sure, that’s one way to look at it – but would I really want to work with people who didn’t like the fact that I am a Christ follower?

Finding Myself

So here I am writing about it anyway, because I’m starting to lose myself to an audience of one, the only one who matters – God.

And, He’s pleased with me, and I am found in Him.

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