Hello friends! It's been a very busy couple of weeks. After time at the beach with my family and then a few extra days with just my husband to celebrate our anniversary, I took off to New York with a group of kids and adults from my church for a week of camp. It was my son's first experience at an overnight camp and I am so thankful and proud to say he did very well. My daughter also did well at age 4 with riding such a long distance and participating in her own "day camp."
As we travelled for hours on the church bus I had the chance to do lots of things including sleeping, reading, talking, and listening to the young children around me as they chatted. Their conversations changed like the wind as they moved from one topic to the next. However, as I listened, one comment struck a chord with me, "I'm obsessed with him!" I couldn't help but insert myself in the conversation, look back and ask, "Who are you talking about?" The bright-eyed little girl, not yet quite old enough to be called a "tweener" replies, "Justin Bieber!"
I chuckled as I shook my head, for this was not the first time I had heard this tender one mention the pop star. She had spent a large part of the trip looking at his pictures on her iPod Touch, telling her friends all the things she liked about him, and vehemently defending him anytime someone (usually a boy) said anything against the one responsible for the twinkle in her eye.
I turned back around in my seat and I did what this blog is all about; I reflected on this young girl's statement through redeemed eyes, in light of grace, mercy and love.
She's obsessed with him. She talks about him all the time. She tells why he's so great. She's constantly searching him out and looking at him. She defends him and her love for him no matter what anyone says.
Is this what someone would say about me? I certainly hope not if the "him" they are referring to is Justin Bieber! But what about concerning Jesus Christ? Am I obsessed with Jesus? Do I talk about Him all the time? Am I constantly seeking His face and turning my eyes on Him? Do I defend Him no matter what anyone may say? If not, have I potentially allowed someone or something else to take this position in my life?
You see, with no shame this young girl on the bus made sure everyone around her knew her heart and mind. She said it herself - she is obsessed. No apologies. No taking it back. If I, as a redeemed, born again believer, do not profess Christ in such a way and live out my profession with every thought, word and deed, then I fear I am leaving room for something else to set itself up as an idol in my life. I've been challenged by this unknowing little girl's statement to make Christ my obsession. I want to be transparent here and admit to you that I have some repenting to do and some changes to make by His grace and with His help.
Here's the thing - no thing and no one is worthy to be the object of the sort of obsession I am talking about except my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:12, emphasis mine). So let's go forth and give Him what He rightfully deserves!
Jesus alone is worthy. He alone deserves my every thought. He alone shall I proclaim. My eyes shall stay fixed on Him. No one will turn me against Him. He is beautiful. He is perfect. His eyes look on me tenderly with affection. He loved me before I ever considered loving Him. He pursued me and He saved me while I was steeped in my sin. May I live obsessed with Him!
I challenge you ... be obsessed with your creator, redeemer, healer, sanctifier, and coming King!
