Passive

I’m often described as a passive person.

I don’t tend to react to things like many people do. I seem to let things just roll off of me and I keep on going.

But people who really know me, know that everything has an effect on me. They start to notice the little changes…how I clench my jaw or the change in respiration.

I am anything but passive…on the inside.

It takes work to keep my emotions in check. I work hard to show patience and keep my temper down. But I don’t always succeed.

Recently I was informed that I have zero tolerance for stupidity. And that is definitely true. I do try to educate people though.

Unfortunately, I have a little bit of sarcasm that comes out from time to time. Sometimes, I use that sarcasm to make a point. I can be very blunt and short with people when I’ve hit my limit. Often I’ve found that people remember the lesson when I reach that point.

But getting back to passive; someone said to me that being a Christian is not passive. That lifestyle is something that is actively sought. To be Christ-like is to put aside flesh and offer forgiveness when it’s hard. It is to accept the trials of life with prayer and fasting.

The Christ-like lifestyle is a constant struggle between the Holy Spirit within the sinful prison of clay. It is denying self to serve the Lord.

Denying self…denying everything that is a desire of the flesh and living solely to glorify the Lord.

It’s impossible.

On our own, there is nothing possible. We cannot even draw the next breath we need without the Lord giving it to us. But by and through God, everything is possible.

Life, hope, salvation, charity…all these things are only possible because the Lord allows them.

Active.

Actively seek the Kingdom of God and all other things will be added…