Runaway Bride

A friend posted this today on Facebook: The world needs our confession, not our competence. - Is my life causing the people around me to hope desperately that the gospel is true? Is there a gospel-soaked attraction to my life? Does an aroma of grace spill out from me into a selfless service to others? -Tullian Tchividjian

I have been thinking about this lately.  Does my life point people to Christ?  I talk about "unspeakable joy" and "peace beyond understanding" but when life challenges and disappointments appear, what is my disposition?  Do I whine, complain, doubt or want to run away?  Yes.  My Lord God has never left me and deep down inside I know that He will get me through yet my human nature wants the "easy way out"- share with others for comfort, or abandon the scene.

It is time to live my life with the blessed assurance and comfort of the Holy Spirit shining forth.  Others need to see strength and solid security that comes from a relationship with Jesus. 

This truth for my life is easier said than done.  When life becomes overwhelming with loneliness, troubles and stress, I reach out for prayer.  I put it on Facebook and I covet the prayers of anyone who will listen....but if I search my heart, what am I really after?  Do I have a desparate need for myself or someone? Do I have a need for encouragement or for pity and attention?  Do I want to announce my drama for entertainment or other selfish reasons?  I don't know the reasons now.  I just know in the future that I will pray about my situations and who I should reach out too.  I will also make sure to praise and give God the glory for the answers.  More so I will want others to see that peace, joy and security that I really can have in "casting my cares and anxieties on Him."

I found the movie Runaway Bride pretty funny back in the day.  She always bailed out right before the commitment ceremony.  As I think about it now, I am a runaway bride of Christ of sorts. I will runaway when I am to make a stand and fight for Godly purpose in my personal life re: marital or family trouble.  I have "ran away" to a young friend's house about 3 times this past year to "get away from it all".  I have jumped in my car and drove to a park for several hours - numerous times to "get away".  A couple years back I took off for a couple of days without telling anyone where I was because I had enough of the struggles in my home.  These may sound justified and healthy mentally and I have justified my actions to others but they were hurtful and selfish things to do because they were unplanned and unexplained. Not to mention a poor example to my boys, where my Christian witness is MOST important.

I tend to share a lot of candid moments in my life.  I am an open book.  I know I must use wisdom in what I share but for the most part, if I believe that my life can inspire you for good or help you in some way - maybe how not to be - then I will put it out there.  I make huge mistakes.   I have some crazy experiences and some crazy thoughts.  I can make you laugh, and make you cry with my life but dear friends just remember "The truth is this is Anna's real life."

So where does your life point?