Me First

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Here’s a question for you. Just how does the Body of Christ get the ear of those who need to hear the Gospel? How do we get its attention? (OK, that’s two questions.) Let’s try this: Start living out a genuine faith before it.

Whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not, the world is watching us. They see us at our best and worst. The best thing we can do is to live out our best and worst in all holiness. So, when you say you are going to do something, then do it. When you fail, don’t whine, get up, admit it, and then keep moving on. Don’t cheat, claw, or scrape your way to the top and leave a pile broken people in your wake. Put God first in everything and live a holy life in front of them. These things (and more holy behavior) should become a part of your character. It should emanate from you in every circumstance of life—before the watching world. Change will happen in the world, but it must FIRST start with us—with ME!

The following is written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D):

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

"But it, too, seemed immovable.

"As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

"And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

"From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world."

Real, lasting change in the world will not take place until we change. That is the place to start.