We're going public with this...

I read something really really encouraging today in Matthew. I've found myself really nervous to get my tattoo lately. I couldn't figure it out... why now? Why a month before I get it... all was going smoothly... it was like it literally just fell into place. But I couldn't help but be nervous. And finally I figured it out. I was letting others get to me....... "You’ll regret it" "it will look trashy" "you'll struggle finding a job" "don't you know all those stories are just stories? They aren't true??" "You want to get a WHALE SHARK?!".... etc.

But read this...

Matthew 5:10-16 (the message)

"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

As I read that I couldn't help but grin. It was like God was saying "Kendall stop! Be proud of who I’ve made you to be! Be proud of those hard lessons you learned. Now go and share what I’ve done in you... how you almost lost you faith, how I taught you not to worry or fear man, how I taught you that who you are on the inside is who you will eventually become on the outside."..... Or at least that's what it sounded like to me.

I want to be proud of who God made me. I want to be a light to this dark world, salt to this tasteless generation. I want to be like the disciples who rejoiced when hard times came their way. I want to stop worrying what people think of me and just be myself!

But really, I just want to be more like Christ...