You know the thing I hate about sin is how it has a tendency to taint my view of the world and the people God has created. I hate that war happens, I hate that abuse happens, I hate that we even have to have prisons, and I hate how each side has to have a say in the name of preserving their way of life. I hate that everyone persecutes everyone else in the name of preserving that which is sacred to them. I hate that followers of Christ are just as big a part of the mud flinging as the rest of the world. I want to be able to home school my children, go to any church I want, and I realize that some group of people are standing ready with their ideas of how to raise my children. It would infuriated me to no end if someone were to come tell me I could no longer do those things. But, still, I don’t want to start flinging things in anyone’s face, I don’t want to start spouting I have this right or that right. I want to lay down my rights, I want to stop flinging, stop blaming, and just love. I know I sound like a crazy, hippy, long haired, tree huger, oh yeah, I am one! Happily!
I want to stop being afraid of my rights being taken away, I want to stop being afraid of evil after all Jesus has already overcome it! It’s scary living in the midst of evil, I was sexually abused, I hate the thought of someone kidnapping my kid’s, but in the midst of the evil I want to live as Jesus lived, unafraid to die and I want to teach my children to not be afraid to die. I want to teach them by being a living example that Jesus overcomes fear and evil, not only does he overcome it, he’s already won the war! I want to act like it, I want to live like it. I want to love those who are unpopular, even in the church.
I want to open the door to the homeless, the homosexual, the prostitute, the one who has been divorced, the one who has been stepped on, the one who has been told they are not worth it. I want to love Obama and Hilary Clinton, I may not agree with them, I may not like their views, but they are a masterpiece, they were created by God, who am I to slander them? I realize ones actions speak pretty loudly as to what one believes and perhaps even ones heart. But, God is able to change hearts, he is able to reveal himself powerfully to them. But, I don’t want to yell it on capitol hill, I want to yell it by being silent and letting the way I live my life be the love, the testimony, the meal, the warm clothing, the smile, and hug that someone receives. I want to change the world because God has changed me. I want to make sure the way I am living my life is pleasing to the Lord and I pray through that others are changed and pointed not at what I believe, not because I am saying do this or don’t do that, but because they see the light of Christ in me and are drawn to him, not me.
I do believe that God has called certain men and women throughout history to speak up for the His people. Moses is a great example, the prophets in the old testament are another great example, and I would even say that Billy Graham is one of those such people. But, we are not all called to that role and we should tread very carefully to not fill that role if we are not called to it and if we are we had better pray it is God coming out of our mouths. For if it’s not, we are nothing but hypocrites. Let us shout from the roof top of what Jesus has done for me without demanding someone else do it.
It grieves me greatly, my heart weeps at the thought of someone not having a relationship with Christ. My heart is burden for these lost, hurting souls, I ache for them to know the freedom on earth and the freedom in heaven they can have from knowing Jesus Christ. I realized after 35 years that I had head knowledge of Jesus, but I didn’t have heart knowledge. After 35 years I believe this last year I have truly, whole heartedly become a follower of Jesus Christ. I see scripture and compassion in a way that I have never seen it before.
It’s not my job to tell people how to live, it’s not my job to soften the hearts of the humans that God has created, it is my job to love. I do not have to make sure that so and so knows this or that, from my experience, they know.
My prayer is that God will give me eyes to see his people, his creation, his masterpiece. My prayer is that God will give me eyes to see as only he can! I want to see the people around me as Betsy Tenboom saw Natzi Officers in the concentration camp, I want to see those around me as Jim Elliot saw those around him, those are the eyes and the compassion I long for!
If God called me to “take a stand” I would pray mightily and seek wise counsel, I would not delight in it, but I would do it, but I want to make very darn sure it’s him calling me and not me wanting “my rights”. I want to remember that Jesus has already won the war, God is just as much in control today as he was before and he has a very good track record. I realize his track record is full of crucifixions, martyrs deaths, and as James says “in this world you will have trouble” but I also want to embrace the “but I have overcome the world part”.
Followers of Christ let us bring peace and joy not by shouting that oh my gosh someone has sinned and fallen off the spiritual trail. Let us bring peace and joy, because we ourselves have found it and let that speak for itself!