Reflections

As I was having my devotions, I read this:
Leviticus 10:10
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
It’s so clear, yet so many people don’t even bother with it. There needs to be a difference between the Christian and the world.
Exodus 19:5
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Deuteronomy 14:2
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
Deuteronomy 26:18
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

I am peculiar. The Bible says so. There should be a vast difference in my life compared to that of a person with out Christ. Each New Year brings a time of self-evaluation: Have I met my goals that I set last year? Have I made a difference? Did I grow in Christ? Have I matured? Am I where God wants me? Am I walking in the Light or in darkness? Am I pleasing God or man? There are so many things to look at when I review my life. I do realize that perfection will not be reached, but maturity can be reached. It is a day by day process, not an all at once thing.
One thing that I have been dealing with is my shallowness. This is hard. It’s so easy to be basic in the things I say and so; to be a “milk” Christian. I do desire to be a “meat” Christian and to grow. I want that deeper relationship with Christ and I want to be able to be a good, Godly teacher and example to my students. They are very impressionable and yet very independent at this age. I want them to see Christ in me.

I was having a conversation with someone and a few different topics came up. One was that on standards, in particular, dress and music. These two areas show a person’s relationship with Christ.
Deuteronomy 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
1 Timothy 2:10
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Peter 3:3
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
I took a stand on dress right after high school (I wish it had been sooner, but I let peer pressure win). I don’t wear pants and I don’t want to. Some people argue that certain jobs need to have a woman wearing pants. My thought is that if a certain job makes wearing skirts, dresses, or culottes immodest, should a woman even be doing that job in the first place? I’m not saying a woman shouldn’t do anything, but that they need to keep in mind that pleasing God in what they wear is a matter of importance. I see double standards a lot. Ladies will wear “church” clothes at church, but at home, anything goes. That’s the example people see. I don’t see why ladies think that dresses are such an inconvenience, but then again, I’m peculiar.

Music is a big issue for me. I love music. Growing in up in a typical “bus” home, I listened to every kind of music. Then, when I got saved, I tried to listen to better music, but it really wasn’t any better since it sounded just like the world. Contemporary Christian music is no good. They just changed the words to make it sound good. I remember going to a teen conference that was very contemporary in all they did. They tried to put in a sales pitch that seemed pretty reasonable for witnessing to family and friends: music that they would like (rap, punk, rock, country, etc.) only with “Christian” words. I bought into it for a while, but I knew something wasn’t quite right with it. It wasn’t until college that I saw why it wasn’t right, or pleasing to God. Music has been a struggle for me. It’s hard knowing that while going shopping there will be that “old” music being played over the loud speaker. I try to tune it out or think of good songs while shopping. I have taken an interest in classical, but it certainly was an acquired taste.

All in all, I feel the Lord has brought me so far, but yet I still feel like there is a long way to go. I know He will keep working on me as long as I let Him. God Bless!