I have seen women boldly wearing apparel stating, "World's best grandma" with all the grandkids names around it. Others may wear an item of clothing with the name of a favorite collegiate team or that state they are an alumni. You may encounter another person with a shirt on that claims their place of employment. Can we determine who the individual is by these outward statements?
Driving by a home, you see a huge basketball staked in the ground with a number and last name plastered across it. Keep driving and you may see another home with lots of Christmas lights displayed for all to enjoy. The next home may have a boat and camper parked in the driveway. Could these possessions and displays represent the families' passions?
Outward symbols, clothing or possessions cannot speak of one's heart. The first group may not even remember those symbols still exist on their vehicles or they just purchased the vehicle. The second group very well could have grabbed a shirt out of their closet that they purchased at a thrift store just to have an old work shirt. The final group may just have that front to please others in their lives. We cannot define another by what we see outwardly. Just as God looks at the heart, so should we.
"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God." (Romans 2:28-29)
"when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." (1 Peter 3:2-4)
To really follow God, we must do so from the heart. Our outward expressions of wearing a cross on our neck, placing a fish symbol on the back of our bumper, playing Christian music on our radio or dressing our house with a Nativity scene in December does not make us followers of Christ. As Joyce Meyer says, "I can sit in a garage all day long, but that does not make me a car."
If your life truly lives like you express, then the symbols are great. There are individuals who pay for a handicap symbol on their vehicle due to a temporary injury; but, then keep it on there, after healed, to gain a closer parking spot. Some fair-weather fans only wear clothes from the team in highest standing; but, in their heart may truly like the team with the lowest scores. A child's name on a wooden basketball may express what sport he/she plays; but, they may only play because the parent desired that for their life.
Avoid just following the crowd; they may not be leading down the path to Heaven. Stand firm on what you believe. Evaluate your heart and see any offensive ways or if you follow the wrong path. Follow God, not people. Rid yourself of all masks and phony symbols in your life. Allow the light of Jesus to shine through you. It is then, you will not need a symbol or sign for others to determine who you follow. They will clearly see Who you follow.
God, thank you for this day. Thank You for another day to serve, follow and obey You. Keep me focused on You and not this world. Use me in any way to further Your Kingdom. Reveal any phony symbols or false words in my life. Show me the way. Give me the strength to stand firm on Truth in every area of my life. Rid me of all the masks. I love You.
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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