May I Have The Stage For A Moment Please ????

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be seen by people who hear me profess that I am a Christian. 

* Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved my and gave himself for me.

Do they see Jesus or do they see my humanity? Do they see the grace that I've been given or do they just see my mistakes? Do they see the Love of the one and only Lord above or do they see my false sense of togetherness?

I find myself trying to be less judgmental then I used to be. Trying to be more patient with situations I am in and with the people i find myself surrounded with. Trying to be strong in the Lord instead of leaning on my own flesh for strength. Trying to be completely honest in my humanity instead of telling people what they want to hear or being who they want me to be. Trying to see myself as Christ see’s me instead of seeing the reflection of skin in the mirror. Trying to forgive when i’m hurt instead of holding a grudge. Trying to remember that suffering comes to me because of sin instead of asking why it’s being allowed.

I’m not the average girl in the magazines, I’m tall, scraggly hair, sinful, and messy past, but I've come to accept myself because I know that my creator didn't make any mistakes when He made me.

That said.. when you read these posts.. I hope that you see the message of Christ in them. Jesus is the reason i have the courage to put my life out here. Jesus is the reason I have any Hope, Jesus is who deserves any glorification. 

When Jesus died on the cross, he paid the punishment for my sin, for my lack of perfection. The beating he took before hand should have been mine, that cross that he carried should have been mine, the crown of thorns should have been pushed into my head ,those nails should have been mine, the punishment for sin was mine. Jesus died for MY SIN!!!! He took the punishment for Sin.. He died so that I might be saved and returned to my Heavenly Father upon completion of life on this earth.

As Christ took his last breath, as he muttered the words “it is complete”, in that very instant the history of mankind was changed forever, the age of Grace became a reality.  I am thankful.. for being one of his chosen, for being covered by grace through faith, and for His payment for my sake on that cross.