What defines you? Here are some things that do NOT define me:
I am not defined by....
what kind of car I drive
how much money is in my bank account
or what people who don't really know me think about me
I am not defined by....
how big or well decorated my home is
how amazing of birthday parties I throw my children
or what stores I shop at
I am not defined by....
being the team mom for my kid's sport
the size and shape of my body
or what brand my jeans are, or purse is
No, these things do not define me.
(And sometimes I have to say it just like that. Big and Bold. If only to myself. Regularly.)
And I try and remember then, what DOES define me, according to God's measuring stick...
How well I love others (John 13:35)
How well I care for the widow and the orphan (James 1:27)
How well I serve the least of my brethren (Matt 25:40)
Some people think that they are defined by how much knowledge that they have acquired, spiritual or otherwise.
But it seems it really all comes down to how well you love.
Jesus commended those who loved with abandon. The woman who poured out the ointment on his feet, all of her best lavished on him with love.
Or the one whom they called sinner, who washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, of whom Jesus said, "Her many sins have been forgiven - as her great love has shown."
Paul knew how easy it would be for the Christ-follower to get sidetracked, majoring on the minors, forsaking the one command Jesus gave us: Love. And love well.
He wrote in his letter to the church at Corinth:
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I am not defined by....
what kind of car I drive
how much money is in my bank account
or what people who don't really know me think about me
I am not defined by....
how big or well decorated my home is
how amazing of birthday parties I throw my children
or what stores I shop at
I am not defined by....
being the team mom for my kid's sport
the size and shape of my body
or what brand my jeans are, or purse is
No, these things do not define me.
(And sometimes I have to say it just like that. Big and Bold. If only to myself. Regularly.)
And I try and remember then, what DOES define me, according to God's measuring stick...
How well I love others (John 13:35)
How well I care for the widow and the orphan (James 1:27)
How well I serve the least of my brethren (Matt 25:40)
Some people think that they are defined by how much knowledge that they have acquired, spiritual or otherwise.
But it seems it really all comes down to how well you love.
Jesus commended those who loved with abandon. The woman who poured out the ointment on his feet, all of her best lavished on him with love.
Or the one whom they called sinner, who washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, of whom Jesus said, "Her many sins have been forgiven - as her great love has shown."
Paul knew how easy it would be for the Christ-follower to get sidetracked, majoring on the minors, forsaking the one command Jesus gave us: Love. And love well.
He wrote in his letter to the church at Corinth:
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13
Can we say, like good ole' Forrest, "I'm not a smart man. But I know what love is."
If we were to strive for this one thing only, to know what love is and do it well, we will have lived a very worthy life indeed.
Defined by love. His love for us. Our love for Him. Our love for others. Period.
Linking today with:
Defined by love. His love for us. Our love for Him. Our love for others. Period.
Linking today with:
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Great post. Yes, "The greatest of these is love." Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful reminder. I often have to remind myself of this daily as well. Thank you for sharing this and for linking up at Leaving A Legacy. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteShari
Thank you for sharing this. It is a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteWell said! Thanks for linking with us at No Ordinary Blog Hop. Every blessing, Kelly
ReplyDeleteSuch good thoughts - thanks for sharing these, and for the reminder it is for me, too. And, thanks for visiting me at Pursuing Heart, for your kind comments, and - have fun with the Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, I've made that for many pot-lucks, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder. Demonstrating the love of Christ in tangible ways is something I aim to do more of each and every day. Thanks also for stopping by Posed Perfection and leaving me comments. Sorry about your dog licking off the oil from the fridge. Was it clean before the slobber? ;-) I hope you'll stop by again for a visit soon. Have a blessed week!
ReplyDelete~Nici