Author: jacksonkarris@gmail.com

#ONE

I slid the shirt off the hanger, crept to the corner of the store where nobody was, and shoved the shirt down my pants. As I walked out the store, I was grabbed by two men who led me through a door that was barely noticeable to the eye. “We saw you steal that shirt,” they said to me with disgust. “That mirror you were in front of. It is a two-way mirror. We have you on videotape”, they continued. Then they asked, “Why did you do that. Why did you steal this shirt?”

As a teenager, I did a lot of things. Some things I did to impress my friends. Some things I did so other people would like me. Some things I did to be cool. Some things I did because they felt good. And some things I did with no real rhyme or reason – just because.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her to be purposeful in everything she does. I would encourage her to be intentional. To be thoughtful about the activities she engages in, the people she hangs out with, and the decisions she makes. I would tell her to filter her thoughts and actions through the Word of God. And I would tell her that whatever she does…do it ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.

Truth #1

DO IT ALL FOR THE GLORTY OF GOD

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

Karris

#TWO

We all have at least one thing. One thing we don’t want anyone else to know. One thing we wish would go away and never be talked about again. I’ve already told you about my one thing (see #7), but I didn’t talk about the depths of shame and guilt I felt because of it. We’ve all been there. We’ve all struggled with forgiving ourselves for the mistakes we’ve made in the past. The enemy wants us to keep our sins in the dark. To make us feel so ashamed that we drag them around in suitcases for the rest of our lives hoping that no one sees them. But people do see them. And the weight of carrying a suitcase stuffed with everything we are trying to hide will eventually become too heavy. And we will break. I almost did.

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her to get rid of the suitcase. She doesn’t need it. And there is no honor in carrying around a suitcase stuffed with sins. Once she confesses her sins, asks for forgiveness, and turns away from that sin – she is forgiven. And any attempt to convince her otherwise is a lie. A lie. I would tell her that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all her sins and she doesn’t have to carry them anymore. She is forgiven. It’s that simple. It really is.

Truth #2

YOU ARE FORGIVEN

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

Karris

 

#THREE

I was in the third grade. I remember the conversation. “She’s not gifted, Mrs. Williams. I’ll test her, but I’m telling you…she’s not gifted.” That’s what the teacher told my mom when she demanded they test me for gifted classes. “I’m not going to do well on this test”, I said to myself as I sat listening to their conversation. I took the test and I wasn’t gifted. At least not according to the school’s standard. But my sister and brother were. It was tough growing up crammed between two gifted people. I always felt inferior. Not quite smart enough. If I wasn’t created to be gifted, what was I created for?

If I could go back and have a conversation with my 13-year-old self, I would tell her that she is created in the image of Christ Jesus to do good works. That she was born at this specific time in this specific place for a specific reason that aligns with God’s plan for humanity.  A plan that is for her good and for His Glory. I would tell her that God intentionally created her for a unique purpose. A purpose that only she can fulfill. I would tell her that she doesn’t have to be declared gifted by man, because she has already been declared gifted by God. And if she commits her life to following Christ, she will do the good works that God prepared beforehand for her to walk into. 

Truth #3

YOU WERE CREATED TO DO GOOD WORKS

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB)

Karris