Discovering YOU Magazine June 2018 Issue | Page 38

THE SPIRIT IN YOU

to be associated with a group of people who are sometimes more known for being hypocritical instead of loving. This has been an ongoing struggle that I have had for the past few years. It has gotten to the point that when I have a problem, I am more likely to go to one of my friends who are not believers because I know that I will still be loved and accepted after sharing what I am struggling with.

I have personally decided that I want to be the difference, change, and shift within the Christian community in my area. I want to be the “Christian who is different in a good way.” My negative experiences have been my inspiration. I do not desire to be like the Church, but I want to live as Christ did; selfless, and putting the word of God into action. I cannot turn a blind eye to the believers who are already practicing this! I am very weary when I visit other churches, typically scared of judgment for my background in Messianic Judaism. At the beginning of the year, I made a trip to Tyler, Texas to meet a fellow Christian blogger for the first time. I went to her church and for the first time, as a believer, I truly felt accepted, even though I had not met anyone in the congregation, previously. I was greeted with smiles, hugs, and more importantly the love of Christ. Before going to Tyler, I had been struggling in the desire to keep walking with the Lord, and my experience at that congregation gave me the encouragement that I absolutely needed in that time of my life. My time with that group of believers felt surreal because this was the first time that I had ever felt

like I was walking into a Church where all the members were truly emulating Christ’s actions, and I do not think that I will ever forget that Sunday morning.

I challenge you to try to intentionally be a part of someone else’s positive life-shaping moments. These could be done in the smallest or biggest ways. Listen to someone who is hurting, leave sticky notes with scripture about God’s love around the office, speak to the family visiting your church, or sit with the member who is alone. Find ways to be a light that only reflects the love of Christ to anyone that you come in contact with. There are so many ways to share the gospel without ever having to carry a bible with you. A small spark can start a fire within a short moment, likewise, a small act of kindness can start a revolution. How are you going to use your sparks?

"A small spark can start a fire within a short moment, likewise, a small act of kindness can start a revolution. How are you going to use your sparks? "