Every time we speak, post in social media, and encounter others in our everyday life, people are having an experience with us. Last month, I came across a quote from Bishop T.D. Jakes that really has me thinking along these lines more and more. Here is the quote that has stayed with me for a while now in my thoughts and heart, “What Do People Get When They Get You?” What kind of experience do they have with us? How do people walk away from an encounter with us? I’m praying in this season more than ever that they experience the love, compassion, and forgiveness of Christ. I’m praying that they walk away from us experiencing the presence of Jesus because it has become our custom to live in His presence and His Word on a daily basis. I’m praying that people walk away from us wanting to know Christ on a deeper level and move forward in His plan for their life.
I’ve been refreshing myself daily on the love of God and the vital role of the body of Christ in this hour to show up in our homes, our families, our workplaces, and our communities with the love and power of God in our God-given call and assignments. The works of the flesh outlined in Galatians 5:19-21 (i.e. adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, hatred, strife, seditions, etc.) do not bring glory to God nor can we partner with him in kingdom assignments if we operate or move in darkness. Last week, I spent some time reading and meditating in I John 1:5-6 (AMPC):
“And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].”
As the body of Christ, let’s walk in the light…that is the light of His Word, the light of His presence, the light of His love. Thank God for the gifts of the Spirit and the things He has called us to do in the earth, but what about our love and character? How are we showing up in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the household of faith and to a world who does not know Jesus? Let's grow in love and the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Love is the way family…I’ve made a decision that this is how I’m moving in 2020…how will you move this year in your God-given call and assignments?
“Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” Ephesians 4:15
“Love does no wrong to one’s neighbor [it never hurts anybody]. Therefore love meets all the requirements and is the fulfilling of the Law.” Romans 13:10
What do people get when they get you?