“For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13- KJV) Many people, when facing their true selves, try to change their exteriors, not their interiors. They carry their wounds and mistakes like trophies but struggle with how to deal with those problems or refuse help from others to quiet their hearts and minds. They need to realize when they were born, Christ was formed within them, and He continues to grow inside them until He has to come out. The presence of Christ within us is what changes us from the inside out. Just like Mary was given a baby by the Holy Spirit to carry to full term, we are all born with the Christ child within us so that we can do powerful, loving things in this dark world.
When we give our hearts to Christ, He is in us, for us, and with us. The qualities of Christ- self-control, grace, hope, long-suffering, compassion, and mystery- are within each of us because He was born within each of us. Engaging with others, walking in Christ’s steps, reading the Word, praying, worshiping, and making small steps of faith activates the presence of Christ in us. Throughout our lives, we continue to evolve and change because Christ is with us, even though we continue to hurt others and make mistakes. It is through those hurts and mistakes that we grow into the human beings God wants us to be. “I am crucified with Christ: neverless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20-KJV).
Be thankful that Christ resides in all of us; what is so troubling today is that too many people are completely letting the world control their thoughts and actions rather than letting Christ do His work. By continuing to grow within us, we are helping Christ to be the light for our families, neighbors, churches, communities, jobs, schools, and governments. He wants us to be Him in every area of our lives. Then, we will feel Christ’s presence not only within ourselves but within the entire world. Just as God brought hope into the world with the birth of His Son, we are tasked with continuing His legacy now and always.
Anna Hartt
