Looking down; Looking up

Heyo,

NOTE: Good morning! I have finally succeeded in posting something, somewhere near an ideal time. Yay :)

Happy Friday! This week has in one way been completely normal and in another way been kinda a big week. New things, old things, hard things.

One verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." has been in my head currently. It has always been a favorite verse of mine for a long time. However recently it occurred to me in a different way.

Always I had thought of the first part ("Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young) refers to others thinking of me as inferior, but now I think it also applies to myself. If I expect less from myself, then less is what I get. Paul isn't just reminding grown-ups, he is reminding me what my expectations should be.

Sometimes though I have high expectations, but I just keep falling short. That is when I look down upon myself. It is when i realize that by myself I simply can't be an example to other believers. I need Jesus without Him I am nothing, so I why do I expect that I do everything by my ugly self?

There is a reason another verses goes: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) Growing up/being-an-example is scary and I am not ready for responsibility, but God makes me ready.

Thanks for a wonderful week! I have really enjoyed the first week of blogging :) Have a great weekend!

<3 Lissa