Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Like Living in a Goldfish Bowl (11/07/13)
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TITLE: on display | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janet Kelly
11/14/13 -
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When you take a science class in school you will eventually look at something under a microscope. This provides the opportunity to see the most minute details of an object. We find at times that our lives also seem to be under a microscope so to speak.
We have all seen the scrutiny that is part of the lives of our government officials. Those in prominent positions do not have the luxury of privacy. Every detail, no matter how small, is likely to make its way on the evening news or the morning paper.
The battle for privacy ultimately took the life of Princess Diana. She could find no relief from their relentless pursuits and in an effort to flee from them, she paid the ultimate price.
Entertainers also must fight for privacy. Their lives are on public display. Numerous Hollywood stars have had to deal with unwanted attention. In the early 1980's actress Jodie Foster was stalked by a fan who became obsessed with her after watching Taxi Driver repeatedly. He continued to stalk her when she attended Yale. His final act was the attempted assassination of former President Ronald Reagan, in hopes he would gain the attention of the actress.
Granted the average person will not have to battle privacy in such a way but we are often noticed in ways we are often unaware. This is particularly true in our Christian lives. Once you identify yourself as a follower of Christ your life is often scrutinized by non believers and believers as well. Your life is more or less on public display.
When I became a Christian as a young teenager I was faced with decisions that were directly influenced by my walk with Christ. I felt I had to take a stand for what aligned with the Bible. My decision was drastically different than it might have been apart from Christ. Some time later in my Christian journey, I learned that someone I hardly knew was watching my life. I was influencing her life, either for bad or good, with Christ by my example.
When Jesus Christ enters your life everything should change. People will be watching your life to see if
you conduct yourself as a Christ follower. The words of an old hymn say it best:
“While passing through this world of sin, and others your life shall view, be clean and pure without, within, let others see Jesus in you.” (Coleman, B.B McKinney, 1922, 1924)
To keep our lives clean and pure is also found in scripture. The apostle Paul tells us in the book of Phillipians 1:27, “only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
In the book of Ephesians 4:1 Paul admonishes us to “....walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” (NKJV).
Again in Colossians 2:6 we are reminded....”as you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (NKJV)
Yet another strong reminder for us is found in I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord..”. (NKJV)
Let us not fool ourselves into believing that we can live our lives as we please, because we think we are not hurting anyone else. We are to be ambassadors for Christ in all that we say and do. We are to point others to Him. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (NKJV)
We are living our lives for Christ and people will notice whether it is good or bad. Lets make sure that others see Jesus in us.
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I can see you obviously have a talent for writing. And I hope you'll continue to grow as a writer, and polish your work more and more, scrutinizing each sentence and word. Perhaps you could add a little more descriptive language, showing examples of your main points.
I can't wait to read your next piece! Good work.