When I thought about the topic on this morning, the only thing that popped into my head was a part of a song that says, “I know I got religion.” So, I said asked God where is this going? Then I went back to the devotional that I wrote, this time last year and it clicked because it was entitled “A change might do you good.” So I said, alright God, I’m with you now! See, some of us say we got religion but what’s good about having religion if no one else can see it? Don’t you know by now that in order to save the unsaved, WE, as part of the saved ones have to do it? Now, let me explain something to you … You can’t speak life over folk when your mouth is filled with mess (gossip, backbiting, hating, etc.), you can’t help up those who have fallen if your hands are filled with sinful stuff (other folk’s spouses, stolen items, a knife to stab somebody in the back, etc.) and you can’t go where God wants to send you if your feet are planted in the wrong place (motels, coveting your neighbor’s house, etc.) I mean, you get my point right? And before you get your face all twisted and your panties in a wad, I didn’t say you couldn’t enjoy life but none of the things I mentioned above can be done in a Godly way, so check yourself! You, as a saint (that a sinner who has been saved) can still have fun but don’t hide your religion doing it. You can have fun at a party with your girls or boys on Saturday but then invite them to worship with you on Sunday. Humph, if you are good enough to party with you should be good enough to worship with. You don’t, no you shouldn’t have to hide your religion from anybody because the bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
This is why sometimes you have to change your location because the place you’re in, now, could be the reason you haven’t been elevated. Why, because you’ve become comfortable in your surroundings. I remember living in the projects but it didn’t define me because even though it was our home, it was temporary because momma wanted better, so she changed our environment and even though she taught us about God and how we should act as young ladies, staying in that environment would have eventually rubbed off. Yea, I know it’s not all about where you stay that makes you but if you stay in the rain too long, you’ll get wet even when you wear a raincoat. Now, please don’t get me wrong because I enjoyed the time we spent in each place we’ve lived, including the projects, but no matter who you are, if you are in any place long enough some of the things around you rubs off on you. You may not be a drug addict like some folks you grew up with but that doesn’t mean you didn’t try it and if the truth be told, the only reason why you’re not is because momma/daddy changed your location with God, prayer, hard work and perseverance. So don’t hide your religion because of what you think folk will say or how they’ll treat you because if God, hid His blessings every time we made a mistake, some of us would be raggedy nothings, tore up from the floor up sinners without a pot to … You get my drift! If you have to change who you are or hide the religion that has been placed on the inside of you, then you are trying to fit into a spot that won’t fit you anyway! Baby, I don’t know about you but I am not ashamed of the Holy Spirit that abides with me daily and I will share it no matter where I am because I just might be the blessing a person needs to stop the tears that were getting ready to fall.
Lakisha, the Author 