a challenge.

so my latest epiphony. a challenge i found today and journaled about:

Something that i've looked upon for years and never felt what i did today. i know you're familiar with it, because everyone is, but just check it. and realize what i did...

don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. But,

SET AN EXAMPLE for the believers

in SPEECH

                 in LIFE

                            in LOVE

                                        in FAITH

and in PURITY.

I Timothy 4.12

With this verse it's easy to see a tangible check off list. Something i can look at and use to attempt to improve my life. I find it sooo--- interesting that, first of all, when i initially looked at this verse, I was a cat (if you don't understand this statement just ask me and i'll explain it to you), but i only saw the first part. "Please, society, don't look down on me because i am young." It was merely a verse to throw back in the faces of those who ridicule young people and don't take them seriously and say, "don't chastise me because of my age--because it says here not to do it....so there!" But now, after reading this Cat and Dog Theology book, my eyes have been opened up to the REST of the verses that i seemed to have so easily just skipped over before. So yes, the first part of this verse is still important, but it's the second part that i feel is most important.

The second thing i found interesting, is that is says to set an example for BELIEVERS. I would expect it to obviously say something about being an example to non-believers, which yes, is obviously still important to do so, but Paul SPECIFICALLY took the time and wrote BELIEVERS. So i have to be an example to my believing friends. Wow. God has called me to be an example to the elite...and He give me five ways to do so: in speech, life, love, faith, and purity.

SO HOW AM I DOING?

Not only how am i doing, but also, what does that mean? What does it mean to set an example in those areas for me? In what ways do I go about doing that? How do i honor and glorify God and also set an example in speech? What about in life? What does that mean? How do i set an example to believers in love? How do i make my love evident enough to others to actually be visible enough to be an example? What about in faith? What does it mean to make my faith an example? And lastly, purity. What does it mean to be pure, or without blemish?

From Shane & Shane:

wash me in the water of the word.

i lay me on the alter of your will.

present me blameless, without blemish, holy bride.

white. lord, purify your bride.

It just seems so simple. Well, we'll see how serious i am at applying this to my life. YES i am young, but what changes will i make to try and be the example God has called me to be?