294 – Pictures: Memories or Fantasies

#faithbites #faithjourney Fantasies

Baptism is a beautiful thing. It’s a time when spirit is created in a heart. Today, we welcomed two young children into the Lord’s family. As I was watching the first baptism, they showed a picture of a little baby boy, curled up, eyes closed, wearing a bow-tie, a diaper, and he looked so peaceful. The picture has me thinking of my kids when they were that age and all of the work we went through to get those pictures. Heck, they are beautiful and cute, but are they real or fantasy?

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with those pictures. It just got me thinking about how we share pictures of ourselves on social media, with friends and families. Are those pictures showing realities or fantasies? Is it who we really are, or is it who we want to be?

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having awesome pictures and having fun. The question is are we allowing people to see us as we are or how we want them to see us?

Scripture

• But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
• Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.  – Romans 12:2

Reflection

We often put on airs about who we are, what we like, and what we believe in. We do it belong to this world, often at expense of what we should be doing, which is the Lord’s work. We like to live out our fantasies by showing perfect food, perfect children, perfect clean houses, and so much more. When in fact, most of the time our dinner is a failure from NailedIt!, our children are running amok, our houses are a hot mess, and we are as broken as the next person. That is what it is to be human. God wants us to follow what is good, pleasing, and perfect and 1 Samuel shows us not to care about appearance but see people as the Lord sees them.

One of my best friends in college, God rest his soul, used to tell me: Be Yourself. If people don’t like you when you are yourself, screw ’em”. (He used a different word than screw, but this is a family friendly blog). So true. I try to live by that as much as I can.

There is nothing wrong with beautiful staged pictures once in a while. That baby who had faith created in him was beautiful. Just remember to be yourself.

Charge

Are you who you say you are? Do your pictures, your words and your attitude portray the real you? God will protect you. Try to be authentic in everything you do and every encounter. While it opens you up to injury, the rewards are amazing.

Lord, help me to live my life in an honest and true manner. Help me to enjoy my realities and not always strive to live in my fantasies. There are so much joy and love in the world you have created.