GC: Men must see and know your Joy, and seeing it, know, without any doubt, that it springs from trust in Me, from living with Me.
But how? I like my space with You down here away from distractions.
And when something wonderful happens, well, Joy is there, but I don’t tell people that it stems from You.
Being ridiculed! That’s what I’m afraid of. They’d tell me to keep my religion to myself – they’ll teach the kids what they need to know. At work, they’d tell me that religion has no place in the work space.
“…nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house…”
HOW?
So I ask again, “How?” because though I know ‘how’ to open my mouth and express my joy and where it comes from, just taking the time to ask allows me to pause and procrastinate, so that maybe either the feeling of joy-at-this-moment or the command to tell where it comes from will pass and I won’t have to be responsible for my own actions to say something or not.
Well that’s looking myself in the mirror and not liking what I see. Am I ashamed of my relationship with You? Embarrssed? And if so …why? I owe You everything and yet it is so hard to give You credit in public.
It’s Just Not My Cup-Of-Tea
In all honesty (I don’t want to be honest because I know the answer), It’s just not my cup-of-tea to share Your Word or my relationship with You with anyone. I mean I vent people out before I mention anything Christian to anyone. I will be laughed at and ridiculed.
The bottom line is I want to be accepted in the world as much as I want You to accept me. And though I know You accept me the world will not if I mention Your Name.
There is a warning in the NT about this that I used to just fluff off. I can’t ignore it now.
“For who ever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s …” (Lk 9:26)
There are other verses not quite so condemning:
-“Abide in Him, that when Hew appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” (1Jn 2:28)
-“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Ti 2:15)
I’d Rather Pray For Strength…
But my prayer right now will be this, asking for His Help in this matter where I blatantly need help:
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.” (Ps 31:1)
Because…Because…
“Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame,” (Ro 10:11)
Promise? Do You promise that my fears are unfounded? Because I’d rather pray for strength than actually open my mouth and test the waters.