Sometimes I think that y'all have to think....that maybe I think too much....and that I'm a bit too serious.
I've recently discovered the answer to that question.
So that I can better explain where I'm coming from....let's read the definition of conviction....
the act of convincing a person of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth
So....in other words....I had to face the truth....and wasn't there a famous line from a movie that says, "you can't handle the truth"? Well...I can handle the truth....but it's not easy.
Here's what happened to prompt this train of thought....and also the conviction.....
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine last week and I commented to her how much I like the fact that Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A aren't open on Sundays....and how highly that spoke of the Christian values of the owners. Then....I went on to say that maybe I shouldn't say that because sometimes I would go into a store on a Sunday to buy something. Then....she asked THE question. Do you go out to eat on Sunday? What could I say....I couldn't lie....so I told her "yes, sometimes"!! When, the actual truth of the matter is....we go out to lunch almost every Sunday after church.
So....now.....fast forward a few days. I was telling my hubby (Pappy) about this conversation and he said, "funny you would say that because".....and he proceeded to tell me about a conversation that he had with a fellow he works with.
Where my husband is employed, you have to sign up to be exempt from working on Sunday's. He has worked there for over 13 years and has worked on a Sunday only a handful of days. The conversation that he had with his co-worker was that they wanted to be exempt from working on Sunday....but they still went out to eat, or to a store and bought things on Sunday.
So....WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!?!?
I had to wonder if Pappy was having the conversation with his friend at the same time I was on the phone with mine!!!
Which brings me to this post!!!
I've often came home from church on Sunday.....after enjoying my lunch prepared and served by somebody who had to work on Sunday....and saw people mowing their yard, or washing their cars....and I would feel like I needed to march up to them.....and, ever so kindly....in a Christian manner, of course....tell them how wrong they were for doing that on a Sunday!!!
(please know I'm saying this with sarcasm)
(please know I'm saying this with sarcasm)
You know....like that was my job, or something, to tell them what they should feel conviction over!!!
(and I have to apologize to my daughter right here....she knows what I'm talking about....sorry, Jess)
Who in the world gave me that right?
NOBODY!!!
All I can do is speak for myself....and I know that I've felt conviction for quite some time over some things in my life....including going out to eat on Sunday
(I wish I had followed the lead of my son-in-law years ago)
I'm not saying that they are sins....but they are definitely "weights"....
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We all have to answer for ourselves....and it's definitely not up to me, or anybody else, to try to tell somebody how they should feel in their heart.
That's the "job" of the Holy Spirit.
But...here are a few things that I've felt "conviction" over lately....
***eating out on Sunday
***shopping on Sunday (even if it's at the grocery store)
***too much time on the computer
***not calling to check on people
***not visiting as much as I should
***not sending cards
***and last, but definitely not least...this one should have been at the very top...not praying enough for others!!!
Why am I sharing my "faults" with y'all....well, there's another verse of scripture that comes to mind:
James 5:16 (KJV) - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Folks...we have people watching us ALL THE TIME....and watching EVERY LITTLE THING that we DO...and listing to everything we SAY!!!
I want my life to show that I'm trying my best to live up to this verse of scripture....
I Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) - So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I want my life to show that I'm trying my best to live up to this verse of scripture....
I Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) - So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I don't think that it's a coincidence (which I don't believe in, by the way).... that
I Corinthians 10:31 talks about eating and drinking....do you?!
I Corinthians 10:31 talks about eating and drinking....do you?!
Blessings to you!!!
In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!
Eating dinner out on Sunday...We have got out to restaurants to eat many times on Sunday's. Not so much anymore. But I think of many waitresses who are working 2 jobs to make ends meet. They work Monday - Friday at their fulltime job, then work on Saturday's and Sunday's just for the tips (most waitresses only make a few dollars per hour because of being able to "earn" tips). These tips are what gets them thru until the next paycheck. Buys gas for their cars. Pays the kids lunch money, etc. So it's kind of a rock and a hard place. Is it right? Not my place to say, but if you do go out to a restaurant, leave a tip. A good one!
ReplyDelete~~~ I remember as a child hearing this "The preacher was steppingon toes today." I would go back to church on Sunday night and watch the preacher. I never saw him step on anyone's toes.
I finally told my Dad that people said the preacher was stepping on toes and that I have been watching and I had not seen him do it once! He smiled and said "I love you." He then explained conviction to me. I learned had been watching the wrong person/people at church!
Have a blessed week! <><
I remember those days when businesses were closed on Sundays but when do we rememeber when hospitals, police stations, fire stations and the military ever closed on Sundays. I do thank the Lord for those individuals who work those jobs and do work on Sundays. I have even thought about this with Thanksgiving and Christmas too, times that we should spend with God and family. I had that guilt often about businesses being open on Sunday and I have had to work a few myself. I try to tell the kids if their employer had them work on Sundays, at least ask or compromise to have Sunday mornings off and get Wednesday nights off too. It's difficult now a days to not work on Sundays and being that's my only day off, I do have to do some chores around the house that I couldn't get done during the week. I try not to but there are some things that take time which there is not a whole lot of in a 24 hour period. Great post and as you can see, you are not the only one who has conviction over this. Love ya.......... Robin
ReplyDeleteWOW! Girl, you are on a roll aren't you? You know though, as bad as I don't like to be convicted...I am truly glad cause it keeps me tuned into the Holy Spirit.......I may just borrow this post as one of my devotionals I send out....may I? Be blessed .Cindy
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how very much you and I are in the same place with that conviction! The exact same things are on my "conviction list"! And I don't believe in coincidences either, so it is no coincidence that I clicked on your blog and read this, is it? Okay, Lord, I hear you! God bless you for sharing your thoughts!!
ReplyDeleteWow, another great post. You speak so eloquently exactly what is on your heart, and it is exactly what we need to hear. Thank you for your honesty, your faithfulness and your transparency. Your words spoke directly to me as well.
ReplyDeleteI also have a Sunshine Award for you on my blog. Once again you have added some sunshine to my day, or should I say Son-shine?
i accept your apology! i was like. . .why in the world are you saying this to me, when you said that? but yes. . .my sweet hubby just won't hear of it. he is a good one! i guess since i'm not allowed to, when i get the chance i will. . .you know? so, i've never been convicted of it. now that i've said that outloud, i'd say the holly spirit will get ahold of me the next time i'm out on a sunday?
ReplyDelete