The Tension of a Sojourner {day 16}

I feel it often. Knowing the good I should do and not doing it.

That pull. I talk in broken phrases, pausing as I realize my own contradictions. I’m humbled and mourn the way my life doesn’t live up to the philosophy I believe.

Treat all with compassionate respect as beings created in the image of God and meant for relationship with him.

Look people in the eye and see them for more than their appearance and actions.

Live in community, relationships overflowing in deep Christ-joy.

Spread gospel freedom to all people. 

Give to the point it hurts. {Mother Teresa}

Impact the culture by being in the culture and not just hands free social justice, but to meet people where they are, build real relationships, and love them.

My mind overflows with the tension of my longings and the reality of my living. I read the gospels and epistles and can’t help but notice how little my life mimics the life of Jesus and the apostles.

This is the tension of a sojourner. You strain and walk and linger and long  for something more, to live a life worthy of Christ. And as your eyes open more and more to what kingdom living really is you’re humbled. There’s still so much more to learn, so many ways to expand and grow and stretch into more of Christ.

Take grace. It’s hard when we know the freedom and joy in Christ and the sacrifice He made for us and compare it to the dead walking and our safe, comfortable lives. We see the tension. We see the anomaly. We know things should be different, but still we struggle.

Step by step, faith by faith.

Break by break let Christ come through.

May our hearts be changed and our desires be that of Christ.

May we see with kingdom eyes eternal value and know in our hearts that this is worth more than comfort and convenience. 

May we see him as worth being inconvenienced and a greater joy than mortal dreams.

May we know Him and count it all joy. 

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