Thursday 18 June 2009

Conversation bursting with Grace

Once again its been a while, and once again I can only but apologise. I've been crazily busy over the last- Wait!- I just checked when I last wrote my blog and its been 2 months. ha! Thats crazy. I've completed uni, written 10,000 words on the 10th century English Church, and applied to many different jobs, with no avail as of yet. I think prayer would definitely be appreciated on that subject in particular.

Also, I think a shameless plug never hurts anyone! I am on twitter! follow me!! search me hollincross and if you write a little "@" message I'll respond. I have a really low follow count and I want more. Greedy yes...but its a little depressing how low my count is considering I've been on it since March!
Currently listening to Jason Mraz...one word: Amazing. Get involved.

Ok back to the actual blog rather than lame updates on my life. I've struggled with being inspired recently, and this means that I haven't been reading, praying etc. This has made me noticed that when I haven't been doing this I do lack inspiration, and the rest of my life seems to be a bit difficult. So I decided that I would do something about it, so last night I started to read 'Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren. This book had its peak a couple of years ago when I was 15/16, and at the time I thought it was self-help book and didn't really like it. As I started to read the first chapter last night it stated 'this is not a self-help book. It is not about finding the right career, achieving your dreams, or planning your life....Actually, it will teach you how to do less in life- by focusing on what maters most. It is about becoming what God created you to be' Rick Warren 'Purpose Driven Life' Zondervan Publishing 2002, pg 19.
From that point my theory was flawed. As I started to read I knew I was beginning an amazing journey, and I am excited about continuing to read.

Everyone has opinions one what type of person they want to be, how they want to live and be perceived yet it isn't something that can be changed with great ease. On Sunday I listened to a preach on being holy, and how this is a positive thing but can so often be negative. The bible calls us to be holy. It doesn't make much sense how we change that around. The problem is that we will never reach complete holiness because we are human, and we all fall short. What a pickle. How do we attempt to reach this holiness?

I've been challenged recently about the conversation I've been having. Being a girl it does seem to be natural to gossip and be negative towards other. I think one practical step at attempting holiness is our conversations. In Colossians 4: 5-6 it says this '5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.


The biggest thinking point here is when we think are our conversations filled with grace? Truthfully mine aren't and it is a massive challenge because how can we show God's grace if the words of our mouth are not graceful? This passage is mainly about evangelism but I think it holds some key pieces of information when it comes to our normal, every-day conversations. The personal challenge I face now is that my conversation should be bursting full of grace, and in this way I will be one step closer to holiness, and the purpose of my life will be the greatest honour in the eyes of my maker.

It is a massive challenge and not an easy one at all but I will try and one way that I was reminded on Sunday it to remember the act of Grace. This is to remember what Jesus did on the cross, not just physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Not only did it cause him physical pain but the amount of psychological pain as well is difficult to understand. I think everytime I sit down with my girlfriends and start to gossip if I remembered what he did, it may be difficult to sit comfortably continuing that conversation.

I'll keep you updated. I think this blog is a stream of consciousness rather than anything else.


Til next time...x