"Stop Being Yourself." Yup, I said it.

As most people have noticed lately, the world is telling us to "just be ourselves" and "express yourself." Hmmm.

When I have an issue, and I'm in need of some work on my heart or attitude, the LAST person I need to consult is myself. I'm the problem in the first place!

Now I know that most of the reason behind the world's view on this is for people to not worry about how they "should be" compared to the rest of the world. That we should "feel good and comfortable in our own skin." We'll yeah, sure, we shouldn't conform ourselves for others.
But the Bible says to live our lives through and in Christ. So if that's how we are to live, but the world says live in our own (human, flesh, sinful,) self, then that would collide with acting stupidly. Like living under the abuse and addiction of drugs, alcohol, self image, homosexuality, ect. You cannot live a life of what YOU think is right and be under the image of Christ. You (I,) have to live in the image of Christ at all times. And if there's something I myself likes or wants to be or do or feel that does not agree with what God says in His Word, then I have to understand why I have to choose against it. Does that make any sense?

So many people today are saying "whatever is right for you, is right for you. And something else can be right for me." Oh my goodness, the millions of problems that leads to!

I guess I could continue down a whole road on that subject and go for miles. But I don't want to right now. I just wanted to get across a main point that I fear we are falling so deep into that is ruining our generation.

First, sure, look at yourself. See what you are and how dirty you are. And then TURN to Christ, and see what HE is. How perfect He is!
"And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation," Hebrews 5:9 (NASB)
Let Him live in and through you. Living for yourself will never work, never feel complete and never give you the true full life you desire. It may feel good for a moment, but will lead you down an awful road.

"For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19 (NASB)

So, if you truly want your inner heart, your inner desires, and your whole self to be in the image of Christ, then please! Be yourself! But that's a hard place to stay, (because we are all still sinners.) So, I am going to use the personality traits God gave me, and express the woman He made me to be, but be like Christ. It's not easy! And I will fail. Time after time. We all will. Thank the Lord He already forgave us! But I'd choose that battle any day over being just like the rest of the world which will lie to you over and over again.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NASB)

t.

Pink clouds & Seat 27F

Traveling.
It's such a weird experience.

Some people love it. Some people hate it. I happen to be one who likes it. It's not always easy, comfortable, or fun. Yet I don't mind it because its always an adventure.

I'm on a plane right now actually. Flying over some pretty fluffy clouds. The sun is rising, and the sky is so huge, just like it always is when you are this far up over the world. I'm flying to Denver (layover) so it's not a long flight. Plus the middle seat next to me is empty, so I have some extra space. Those are a couple of upsides. I do feel bad for tall people who barely have room to bend their knees. Thankfully, (with as much as I travel) I'm short. So I normally do pretty ok when it comes to leg room, or just being able to make my fold out table a pillow for my head.

Ok so the flights themselves aren't always super fun. I mean the earth beneath you is beautiful, but it can get cramped up here. Or those awkward moments when you REALLY have to pee but you're sitting in the window seat and your row companions are sound asleep.

But one of the best parts of traveling? People watching. Mainly in the airports. While sitting at a gate, or walking through the gift shops to kill time, people watching is at its best! You can see so many different kinds of people. Different languages, styles, and stories. But since you can't just ask everyone their story, you make them up. Or at least I do. I decide who's who, and where and why they are going there. I think of all sorts of details for people.

I think airports are a great place to feel connected to the rest of the world. Maybe not in smaller hometown airports, haha. But in big city airports such as Seattle, NYC, Amsterdam, Frankfurt.. So many different people from all over, all just passing each other by. Just connecting through gates, and coffee stops. On a railway, or in line to bored. Maybe not talking to one another, but examining each other. Realizing and remembering this world is so much bigger than we typically think about. We really are just a small small part of this world. Even the guy on his phone talking with multiple business partners who looks like he's on top of everyone. He's just another person, and though he may be big in his life, there's still a few million more of us who probably feel that at some point too. It's not a bad thing, no. We each have our own lives, in our own towns, in our own country. It's just silly to think about how many there are of us!

Well I need to turn my phone off, about to land!
With the amount of traveling I'm enduring these next few weeks, I'm sure I'll share some more on here under this subject. But until then, happy and safe travels everyone! Even if its just across town or.. your living room! :)

t.