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You Are What You Behold

Today I am honoured to host a beautiful sister in the Lord, Kristen Hatton, on Women Abiding. Read more about Kristen following her precious message below.


Recently I discovered a couple of old journals I kept during the time my first two children were young.  Much of what was recorded had been long forgotten and the kids of course had no recollection of the funny things they had done and said. Therefore, they loved hearing the narrative of their childhood from my perspective.

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When we had finished reading through the journals, my nearly 18-year-old daughter only half-jokingly commented as to what stereotypical preachers’ kids they were. After all, it’s not every girl who plays “church” with her younger brother, or every little boy who serves “communion” (pieces of his sandwich) to his dog. Then there was the time she tattled on him for calling her a bad name, at which he responded lied saying he called her “Jesus”. Clearly, the very best name he could think of to cover up for what he had really said.

While we laughed at these anecdotes, it should not be surprising that the children’s play, conversation and thoughts were a reflection of the primary shaping influences in their little lives. Going to church, gathering regularly with the church body, and hearing the word about Christ were (and are) the regular pattern of our lives. There is a direct correlation between what comes in to our lives and hearts and what goes out.

We see this same concept illustrated in the idea, “You are what you eat.” There is no question our health and well-being are linked to diet. Constantly filling up on sugary and fatty foods will keep our bodies from functioning as designed. Not just our physical person, but we will experience lack of mental clarity, teetering emotions and emptiness. But the intake of healthy portions of protein, fruits and vegetables, along with vitamins and lots of water gives our bodies and minds the energy they need. For good or for ill, you are what you eat.

You Are What You Behold

In the same way, who we are is a reflection of whatever is most valuable in our lives.

Whatever we behold as most valuable is what we worship. Click To Tweet

And whatever we worship will control and compel us. If it’s not God, it will be something else. What we revolve our lives around shows up in;

  • How we spend our time
  • Where we focus our thoughts, and
  • How we invest our resources.

What we value will surface in what we seek to control, in our passions, and in our emotions – the fears, worries, frustrations, and happiness.

So what are you feeding on?

If you aren’t sure, look to your children. Whatever it is we feed on and centre our lives around is what our children see and what they will feed on too.  Naturally they respond to what they’ve been exposed to because that is what we are modeling as important.

What our children value will be what we value. Click To Tweet

Therefore, we can talk about God, but if church is not important to us, and our lives aren’t really centered on Him they will see the hypocrisy. If God’s Word dwells in us richly and His people take precedence in our lives it will be known to those around us. It will also be known if our appearance, affluence, influence, performance, our children’s performance, or anything else reigns supreme.  Actions speak louder then words.  And we can’t expect our kids to want to eat something we don’t feed on ourselves.

What my kids picked up on in the journals was the reality of their lives reflecting a life centered on Christ. Not because they are preacher’s kids, and not because we are perfect parents, but because what they observed as important to us is what became important to them. Even so at any given moment something other than God, can become our functional god or ruling idol. Because this is true, our children need to also see demonstrated how we deal honestly with our sin. Otherwise, everything else becomes false religiosity.

But when our confession and need for forgiveness, repentance and grace is what they see, by God’s grace they too will feel the freedom to admit their own sin and need of forgiveness. It is in these moments that we have the opportunity to tell them again what they need to hear most; who God is and who they are in Him. And the more his amazing love and compassion for sinners like us penetrates their hearts, the greater their affection for Him becomes.

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What are you currently beholding that is not leading to holiness in our life? What can you focus on today that could replace it?

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