Don't Be a Smoker

Wow. Such a simple message. It seems so easy in theory, but we know from experience how terribly difficult it is to live out.

Love, which can only be found by the knowledge and acceptance of Christ, must be the foundation for everything we do. We lack the ability to honor, serve, and live in unity with a community following Christ on our own, and if our heart is empty of a love for God, we will fail miserably at being a friend to our brothers and sisters in Christ. But don't we try to hide anyway? We know it is bad for us. We feel disconnected, and we have people who want to help us; yet, we mask our struggles and pains because it is more comfortable to smile and pretend we're fine. Why do people go to such great lengths to cover up how they are really feeling when they know how badly it is stunting their spiritual growth?

It's like smoking today. People know it kills them, yet they do it anyway. There is no logical explanation for it, but it is easy to understand. People are missing an inspiration that comes from outside themselves. A smoker might tell you that he doesn't try to quit because he doesn't care if he increases he chances of death, but if he fell in love with a woman and she told him to quit because she would be heart broken if he died and left her alone, he would make an inspired effort. The same principle is true for Christians. Do you realize how good your friends are to you? Do you serve them in the same you they serve you? Do you desire to honor and serve Jesus more than anything in your life? If you do, and your filled with love, you would honor and serve the people around you with greater enthusiasm than they show you. If you feel you're not able to, you're probably missing the fundamental ingredient to Christian community: love (Don't forget Christ is the center of the Christian community. It isn't just your friends).

Danielle gave an amazing message. She really is a talented speaker. You could have taken so many things away from her message. This is just what I thought was most important. What did you get out of it? What going through that head of yours? Speak your mind...