Fly Your Flag

I have a flag.  It is a beautiful flag still in the wrapper.  I have had it since Christmas 2016.  I have every intention of flying this flag, but  to this date, I have not.  The other day I pulled it out and looked it saying to myself "I am going to fly that flag!"

Several weeks ago, I heard about a a friend that also has a flag.  He chose to display his flag and attached it to a pole near his window in his home.  That is where my American flag flies.  I figured I would display this flag along side my American flag.  My friend found that his Home Owners Association (HOA) did not like the idea and they sent him a letter asking him to remove it.  That decision was instrumental to me holding mine in its wrapper a little bit longer.

I am also apprehensive about flying my flag because it will immediately label me.  It will identify my household by one solid line.  It could very well make me or my home a target and for safety reasons, I have not flown it by my home.

Today, I came home and contemplated on the sermon our pastor gave.  We will be known by our actions.  We will be known by acts of service-others will only see Christ in us if we step out and fly our flag!

You see, my flag is the law enforcement flag.  It is basically a black tinted American Flag with a single blue line going through it.  I have been apprehensive of flying it because I don't want anyone telling me I can't hang it near my house.  I haven't flown it because it would identify me as a supporter of one of the greatest organzations in the city of Houston.  I haven't flown it because I don't want my house to become a target.

We have to make a choice as to whether or not to fly our flags for Christ.  We might be criticized, we might be ostrichsized, and we might be told to bring it down....but we must still fly our flag for Christ.

Let your flag fly high and identify yourself as a follower of Christ.  Don't hesitate to let others know who you belong to!

I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of salvation through Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16

Wear the Perfume

This morning as I dressed, I needed the final touch...perfume.  I had a Carolina Herrera favorite but forgot to pack it.  I have a sample tube that someone gave me at a department store.  My niece commented on it stating that she loved it.  When I looked at it, I realized it is Channel Chance.  I told a story in a devotion in Guatemala about Channel No. 5 that I had finally purchased with birthday gift cards.  I thought it was too expensive to purchase myself.  It has sat unwrapped on my dresser for two years.  It's just too special!

This morning, as I debated wearing the Channel Chance, I pulled out the small tube and saw how little was left.  What a decision.  I then remembered a lesson that I was taught many years ago.  It came from Jo Beth Young, our pastor's wife.  At my husband's deacon ordination, Mrs. Young gave a charge to the deacon's wives.  The scripture she based it on was 2 Corinthians 2: 15.  For we are to be a fragrance of Christ. What a charge!  I have never forgotten that verse and remember it often when gauging my attitude towards my husband and others.  Not gonna lie, sometimes I stink!

As I go deeper, I realize that Mrs. Young didn't give me that charge.  Jesus through Mrs. Young gave me that charge.  He went one step further in saying  For we are to be the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, Wow!  How am I doing in spreading the fragrance of Christ to those who are perishing?  Those who are looking to me to see Jesus?

This scripture has been a favorite of mine since the day I heard it at my husband's ordination,  I have never forgotten the impact it made that day and continues to make.  As I contemplated wearing the expensive perfume to simply walk around in the Hill Country, I decided to go for it.  Wear the scent, enjoy the scent and wear it with no regrets.

I hope I never have to contemplate wearing and being the fragrance of God.  I never want to be responsible for someone perishing because I did not represent Christ well.  I want others to know His aroma, know I represent him and most of all, I want to wear His perfume.  That can only take place when I walk with Him in complete unity.

Wear the perfume!

For we are to be the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; and to the other, an aroma that brings life.  2 Corinthians 2:15-16