Today, I try to mimic him in this area of my life.
My boyfriend was a big football fan and I didn't care much for one team or another. As I sat with him to watch football games on Sunday afternoons, I became a big fan of several teams. My favorite team became the Dallas Cowboys. Then it was baseball games and the Atlanta Braves were the team to watch and cheer for. When the dating ended, so did the football fan.
As a tween, there was a young girl named Starr in my neighborhood. She was the cool kid on the block. She smoked cigarettes, skipped school and drank "peppermint schnapps." I had no idea what that drink was, but it sure sounded sweet.
One day I was at the bus stop when Starr came to talk to me and dared me to smoke a cigarette, I did. I got caught by my parent and it wasn't a good decision. The spanking didn't feel good at all.
As an adult, I had a friend who was a Jesus Freak.Sometime, I thought she was crazy; she was so "in love" with this man she couldn't see. When she talked about him her face would light up. Her eyes always sparkled when she read the Bible, shared about the "blessings" she received, and about how her prayers were answered. Yet, I was influenced by her actions of faithfulness; going to church on Wednesday and Sunday. I was influenced by the words she spoke that were truth, honest, and kind. Her heart was huge for all mankind.
As Christians we should be influenced by Jesus Christ, but are we? I've noticed my friends are influenced by the media, their spouses, and their friends. Right or wrong choices are not the issue, but who we follow is.
You see, I was quick to follow my boyfriend into sports and my friend into smoking. I was slow to follow Jesus. I couldn't see him therefore he wasn't real to me, as he was for my friend.
It was easier to agree with my boyfriend and the things he believed in, rather than making choices for myself.
Who are you influenced by? As Christians, we are to be influenced by Jesus Christ. He says that His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. He tells us to seek him for advice, He deeply desires us to seek His leadership for the decision we make in our lives.
I am asking you to take a self inventory right now. Are the choices you make based on what Jesus wants or what your spouse, friend, boyfriend/girlfriend wants? Have you made decisions based on their influence on a particular subject? Now it's time to measure it. Did it cause friction among your family, friends, or
co-workers? What was the outcome of your choice(s)? Was it a Godly choice? Was it His choice or was it your spouse's, friends, or boyfriend's / girlfriend's choice?
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things which are above, not on those things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2.
