Today was not a typical Sunday, my family and I went to another church to celebrate a birthday. And throughout the daily activities, I was challenged in more ways than I’d like to admit. From simple things like examining someone else’s life, getting hung up on the elements that surrounded me, and realizing one thing was said but then doing another.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1

So many times in my life, verses like these are my “Ryan, what are you doing?” alert! It’s truly not until we get into the “real world situations,” that we can realize who we are. We can ALL preach one thing, but until we get the opportunity to put into practice what we preach, we’ll never know where we are.

So this is my prayer… God use me! In my weaknesses, in my struggles, in my short comings, when there are problems that I face, use me, grow me, change me so that I might be more and more like You. Help what comes out of my mouth be the same action that is produced. Amen.