But, who’s comparing anyway? Too often than not I find myself concerned with how others view or think of my family or I, instead of how God really views us. I’ve spent too many days fretting and agonizing over what others will think of myself, or my family. The lines we’ve chosen to draw, along with the convictions we personally hold and believe are important to our family.

So many times, I’ve just kept quiet when I know I should have spoken with love and conviction about something. Not to win an argument, but to boldly show that Christ is the one that has gotten my husband and I and our family to this ongoing place.

As I find myself in my early 30’s, I feel like I’m finally getting a grip on “real life.” haha.  I can only hope I continue to get a better grip as time goes on. Life seems to be clicking, the gist of it, is very real, even though I still fail and fall daily – I understand it better, and strive to live it harder with my whole heart of who and what I am in Christ. He’s given my life meaning to who and everything I am, and called to be. Without Him, I am nothing. When we are following the Lord, we will without a doubt stand out in the worlds eyes, and sometimes other Christians eyes as well. We will look weird. We will be known to do the most unusual and outlandish bizarre things, and I’m learning – that’s totally okay.

For someone who doesn’t like to make their life a spectacle, this has been hard for me to learn. It really comes down to this:

Get over it, and get used to it!

I love the history account of Noah. Everyone thought Noah was a complete idiot building a boat in the middle of a desert. Noah was human, just like us – and I’m sure he felt the same feelings we feel today. Noah stood strong and stayed obedient to what God specifically called him to do – built an enormously large boat in the middle of nowhere. Did he care what people thought about him? I’m sure he did! Just like us, we are hurt or bothered when we are ridiculed for our faith or convictions. Noah pursued and continued on. And so must we!

So whenever I’m tempted to feel the need to hide my convictions or my Faith from the world, or simple stay quiet because I’d rather not be confronted – I must remember Noah. He’s one of the “go to models” of standing strong, even alone. The Lord wants us to shine our light in this dark world, not hide it. He wants us to be a city on a hill. How can we be any of these things when we cower and hide behind the curtain?

The world is also packed full of Christian conformists. The reality is this, everyone craves the bold & the brave. Even the lost.

It’s time we as believers in Jesus Christ, push ourselves away from the wall that has become our “safe bubble,” and make our way to the middle of the skating rink, and simply roll with the punches with love and grace.

We must remember, It’s not our job to make sure everyone is line with our convictions {Every family will look different.} God works on hearts, not us.

There is something absolutely beautiful, when someone can share why and how they have come to the convictions they have today. Doing so with grace and love while also displaying a rare jewel in today’s Christian circle – an attentive ear, and a genuine caring heart.

The world is watching and ready. All eyes are on us – we must strive to show Christ through every move we make. People are hungry and they need what we’ve got! Don’t hide your passion and purpose anymore! Our Christian life is an Olympic skating performance, and God is our coach. Precisely placed for a genuine lifetime performance. It’s not about doing a double flip, or being able to skate with perfection – because God can use all our failures too!

So when the spotlight shines on the “performance,” there is no need to cower, the Lord has placed each and everyone of us, right where He wants us. If you are like me, you may not be comfortable with attention, or maybe its something you crave. Either way, It’s not about us! It’s about what God wants to do, in and through us; whether we like it or not, our lives will get attention! Don’t worry, friends – He’s using each of us to enhance His gospel!

So, let ’em look! Let ’em stare! Even let ’em laugh! We’re safe and sound in God’s perfect and pleasing will.

Let’s gracefully glide with Christ’s love, with attentive ears, genuine caring hearts. With each of those, we’ll will have a better opportunity to be better tools for the Lord, let him do the heart surgery.