what if...

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do EVERYTHING, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17


this is a very familiar passage that i have heard taught many times throughout my church going years. however today in my quiet time it became so much more real. as ryan preached last night on 1 corinthians 8:13 ("therefore if food makes my brother stumble i will never eat meat, lest i make my brother stumble") he really challenged me by asking if we honestly take what we read literally and do what it says. he said that if we all lived lives that actually lived out what we read the christian life would look completely different. as i read colossians this morning i challenged myself to take what i read and really apply it to my life today. man i can tell you it's not easy to do everything in the name of the lord Jesus and to give thanks to him. there were many times throughout the day i wanted to get mad or frustrated and not live out what i read. when anna (the two yr old i baby sit) would not stop crying and throwing a fit it was hard to stay thankful. trust me i do not have it down perfect- i failed twice today alone by having an attitude with my parents. but to take the word of God and intentionally try to live it out brings a completely new meaning to it. i dont ever want to just read a chapter and simply close the Bible again. i desire for it to be real, to live it out. it's a challenge but one that only makes sense as i call myself a christ follower.