All From Abundance - Vol. #009
The Truest Thing About Me
I finished a great book this summer on the body - how to view our bodies with a Kingdom mindset, and how God views our bodies as made in His image. This quote has been wrecking me:
“The truest thing about me, the most valuable aspect of myself that I bring into every situation and relationship is that God loves me, calls me His friend, and has made me His ambassador.” - Jess Connolly, Breaking Free from Body Shame
This is so contrary to what social media says is important.
What brand of clothes do you have?
What size are you?
What fitness program are you following?
What car do you drive?
What neighborhood do you live in?
Here’s what I know to be true…
When I walk into a room, the most beautiful thing about me is my heart. My soul. How I make people feel seen and loved. How I carry the peace and love of Christ into every single room I enter.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7
So as a follower of Jesus, I have to view life through a different lens. I can’t place my confidence in my wisdom, appearance, or my strength (Jeremiah 9:23-24). God calls me to place my confidence in knowing Him and having a relationship with Him because He looks at the heart. It’s not that He doesn’t care about the external - it’s just not what matters through a glory mindset.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever YOU do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31 (emphasis mine)
This is personal. This is a heart and mind choice. We are being exposed to so many trends and quick fixes when it comes to our bodies and getting it right, yet none of it looks at that heart. I want to live with a glory mindset.
I’ve been loving the passage in Matthew 13 about The Parable of the Sower. Our pastor mentioned it a few weeks ago and I’ve done a deep dive on it the last few weeks. The seed is the Word of God, and the difference in each scenario of this story is the soil.
One was sown on rocky ground - this is the one who hears the Word with joy but doesn’t have a root system. So when troubles or persecution come, immediately he falls away.
The next seed was sown among thorns - this is the one who hears God’s Word but the cares of the world and the lure of money crowd out the ability to bear fruit. So it becomes unfruitful.
Lastly, one was tossed down on good soil - this the one who hears it and understands the Word. And He produces a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much had been planted.
I want to be good soil. I don’t want to be consumed or distracted by the cares of this world or love of money. I want to be so secure in the truth of God’s Word in my heart and mind that I can handle whatever life throws at me. My root system determines my fruit. I realize I need to bury myself, hide myself with Christ (Colossians 3:3), and trust Him for the ultimate harvest. I know I have Martha tendencies, but I can choose a Mary heart. One that is focused on what really matters.
Good ground is a heart and mind that is fixed on Him. I’m realizing a healthy root system is only as strong as my mind. What am I dwelling on? What am I believing?
I often claim these verses:
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” — Philippians 4:8
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2
A mentor and friend of ours, Jason Benham, recently shared on his podcast that “how you see yourself determines how you behave yourself.” I want to dwell on truth! I want to see myself and view the world through a Kingdom mindset! And that only happens through His Word. Being in His Word. Dwelling on His Word. Being in community. And trusting God for that ultimate transformation talked about in Romans 12.
A healthy heart and healthy mind. What I dwell on will determine my root system. My mind is a battleground for truth - to fight for faith over myself and my family.
I have some college girls I’ve been doing Bible study with over the past year, and it is so sweet to see their life as college athletes and how they’re trying to honor God in their sport. I will often tell them to play “free and light.” Probably corny, but honestly so biblical. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). And His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
What if we choose to keep our minds on what is true? What if our minds could choose the glory mindset and honor God where we are planted?
I believe our root systems will be stronger.
I believe we will thrive where others wilt.
I believe God wants us to have deep roots.
I believe God wants us to be transformed for His glory.
-Brittany
One More Thing...
- The First Argument - A short devotional Brittany wrote for our church’s current sermon series on Marriage that I’m sneaking in here without her knowing because it is so good!
Until next time,
-Tanner and Brittany
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