CONVICTION
Definition: The act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law. A strong belief or opinion. The feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is true.
This week I felt lead to share a few of my thoughts and viewpoints on the word CONVICTION. Not one we use in the court of law but the one with strong belief or opinion. This is such a powerful word and one I hope you live by daily. As I stare into this computer screen so much of my passion, dreams, desires and goals that I have obtained, all came from a deep seeded CONVICTION I had burning on the inside. I truly believe a person without CONVICTION is at the mercy of circumstances. If you don’t know what is truly important or determine how you will live other people will determine it for you. I once read a person without CONVICTION is a weak jellyfish type of individual who mindlessly follows the crowd. They go through day in and day out letting the world or point in time in their life direct their path. However, if you are CONVICTED you become more diligent in what you want and how you are going to go after it. CONVICTION gives you purpose. How about you are you CONVICTED or are you letting someone or something else motivate and determine the road you are on?
I do know my faith in God and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior as a child helped in molding me and CONVICTING me to grow spiritually. Therefore God has been my guiding light and compass but it is the seeds he plants within that CONVICTS me to pursue my aspirations throughout life. This has required time and effort and I have made plenty of mistakes along the way and worldly views have impacted some of those decisions but through his word and daily time with him I grow stronger and more convinced I need him in every way. Paul in Romans 12:2 talks about CONVICTION when he wrote “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your mind from within.” I also love the verse found in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep CONVICTION. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” By meditating on these words it will help from distractions of this world and agenda of others. Jesus is the best example of living with CONVICTION. He knew his father had a plan and he followed through day in and day out until the day he died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day. This week many of us began Lent, for Christians it is a season before Easter, starting with Ash Wednesday and then a 40 day journey until we celebrate Easter, which is one of my favorite holidays. It is a season for fasting, repentance, moderation and discipline. To me it is “Takin Time Out” for reflection on Jesus Christ his suffering and his sacrifice he made on that cross for you and me. What about you where do you stand, have you accepted him as your Lord and Savior? If not maybe you should consider, open your Bible, talk to him he is just waiting and willing to listen. No matter how bad you may have messed up he loves you, he created you but we each one have to accept and ask him into our hearts. I pray you will take that first step, it will completely change your life and you will be so glad you did. I promise!
As I am sipping on a hot cup of Lemon Zing Tea, I am so thankful for so many things. I know that this simple and powerful word can change a person’s life if they will allow it to. True CONVICTION can’t hold you back, if you truly feel compelled or lead your whole body, heart and soul is on fire to pursue that dream, that desire that destination and journey you pursue. To me CONVICTIONS give purpose, gives you meaning gives you a compass. This produces a deep awareness and helps keep you from getting distracted. CONVICTIONS also include your values, commitments and actions. CONVICTIONS are deeper than just a belief, you might argue about a belief but a CONVICTION is something you will almost die for.
I have been traveling the past few weeks and have one more week to go. My schedule is a bit crazy. Therefore my blog post is a bit short, sweet and late in posting but it doesn’t change my viewpoint and how strongly I feel about the word CONVICTION. I want to leave you with one last saying that I have posted in my office I hope it speaks to you as it has me through the years.
Knowing what to do is knowledge, why to do it is perspective and how to do it is skill but it is worthless if you don’t have the CONVICTION that will motivate you to actually do it! The people who have made the greatest impact on this world, for good or evil, were the people with the strongest, deepest CONVICTIONS. They weren’t necessarily the smartest, wealthiest or best educated people but their CONVICTIONS moved them to move the world!
How about you my dear friend….where do you stand? As you are “Takin Time Out” this week I ask you to think deep and hard on where your CONVICTIONS stand. Are you living them day in and day out? If not maybe it is time to make a change. Until next time may those seeds begin to grow and you begin to take action towards your CONVICTIONS……
I read the tahu magazine that your Mom gave (on loan) to our lovely neighborhood foursome last evening when we gathered at Shirley’s home. How proud your folks are….but we are proud of your accomplishments as well. I was inspired to go home and read your blog since it had been awhile. Conviction. Truly well stated and shared that without it, we will fall for anything. The recent series of Downton Abby is a series of convictions….doing the right thing….always! Next time you are in Amarillo, I would enjoy seeing you, meanwhile I do enjoy your parents, delightful neighbors and wonderful friends.