Coram Deo: Christ-Centered Conversations

The Girltalk Blog posted a wonderful quote yesterday by George Whitfield on conversations:

"[I]f you are in company, let your time be spent in that conversation that profiteth: let it not be about your dressing, your plays, your profits, or your worldly concerns, but let it be the wonders of redeeming love. O tell, tell to each other what great things the Lord has done for your souls; declare unto one another how you were delivered from the hands of your common enemy, Satan, and how the Lord has brought your feet from the clay and has set them upon the rock of ages, the Lord Jesus Christ; there, my brethren, is no slipping. Other conversation, by often repeating, you become fully acquainted with, but of Christ there is always something new to raise your thoughts; you can never want when the love of the Lord Jesus Christ is the subject. So let Jesus be the subject, my brethren, of all your conversation." O Come Thou Long Expected Jesus p 13

I love this - if Christians truly do share with one another what Christ has done & is doing in their lives - focusing on Him alone - not only is that a rich and satisfying conversation, it's God-glorifying! I think we've all been in those conversations that don't go anywhere; you may discuss the weather, how your kids are doing in school, or what your weekend plans are, but are those conversations fulfilling or Christ-exalting? I haven't found them to be. It's my favorite when a friend calls and immediately asks, "So how are you really doing? What have you been learning lately from Scripture?" OR the friend just dives right into what she's been struggling with in life and how God has been helping her see the good from it all and enabling her to persevere (James 1).

One of my Cali besties and I discussed once how boring it is to just talk babies, husbands, work, etc. Isn't there anything else - more soul satisfying? Let's encourage one another to go deep; to not just know about each other but to KNOW one another as sisters in Christ. Yes, the walls of pride and self-preservation must be torn down; it's during these times that our faith and friendship is most strengthened. We can then be encouraged in the LORD and know how to pray for one another better.

(Are babies and husbands and work important? Absolutely! But let's make Christ the center - not the earthly gifts He's so graciously bestowed upon us.)

So I want to encourage you today: Share with others what you've been reading and learning from in God's Word lately. What has he been teaching you? Let's strive to make our conversations Christ-centered and not focused on the earthly things that are passing away.

O tell, tell each other what great things the Lord has done for your souls...

Today I spent time reading and praying over Isaiah 45. My favorite verse from the chapter:

"Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,

a pot among earthen pots!

Does the clay say to him who forms it,

'What are you making?'

'Your work has no handles?'"

I was very convicted by these words this morning - it's too easy for me to tell my Maker what I think He should be doing with my life and then fussing when it doesn't look the way I want it to.

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