Encountering Jesus

Our senior Pastor Jess Cole delivered a message about Worship. Not just the status quo worship but Passionate Worship. Through the message, I received a very distinct message about how I choose to encounter people, how I choose to encounter God.

He ask a question and gave a challenge...a dare. The question is "Am I that way?"
Do I look like wholesome milk on Sunday mornings and sour as the week goes on?
Do I clothe myself in self-righteousness on Sunday mornings and disgrace the Lord the rest of the week?

How do I approach God in my every day life? Do I have reverence for people or God...do I really revere them. What do I normally do when I encounter Jesus?

It was a hard thing to do...look inside and wonder....
I wonder what my response to someone losing a love one would be
I wonder how it would feel to be the "butt" of my own sarcasm and sharp tongue
I wonder how can I approach God with an unrepentant heart
I wonder what is like for people around me when I choose to sin openly
I wonder what it feels like to turn my back on someone, because I don't want to hear what they have to say
I wonder how it feels to be lonely and need a friend, as I choose not to be a friend

It made me realize how I encounter others, is exactly how I encounter Jesus. If I am a christian, I know I am not perfect, but not to even strive to be perfected in His grace?! If I want a different relationship with my God, if I want to know the Christ, who died for me, deeply, if I need to change the way I approach life, then why can't I change?

Change is a thing that must begin in the heart. Change must begin to seep into the mind. Change must become a habit. Change must become a longing. Change must be a goal to reach for. Change comes only when I choose to let go of worldly things. Change can be achieved, but I must want to change. Change must come for a healthy fear and reverence for God.

So my challenge is to change...my heart, my mind, my way of thinking and adopt God grace in all things. Grace is an unmerited favor. Grace comes by an encounter with Jesus, so powerful I can only fall to knees and say thank you for changing me.

Hebrews 12: 1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.