I'm thinking a lot lately about what it really means to be a Christian, to be someone who reflects God in this world. I have done it wrong in so many ways in the past and I'm starting to see things differently.
I'm not longer interested in having my theology exactly right or my main goal being getting to heaven someday and saying to hell with the rest of the world.
I don't want my best life now or my worst life now. I want to be where God wants me to be. I want to be caring, compassionate, sacrificing myself for others.....NOT because I have to but because I want to.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
I've messed up big time in this life, and haven't we all. And that is on my mind. HUMILITY. We are all a mess. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost.
He gives second chances and thirds, and fourths, and seventy times seven.
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The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way? |
You know what? We all ALL have a history, and stories, and baggage, and hopes, and dreams, and fears, and failures, and sins, and selfishness-es, and selflessness-es. We can, must all consider our neighbor better than our self if we are going to really love them.
I pray that I can be that I will be one that loves, gives, helps, judges not, hungers and thirsts for righteousness.
He says we shall be filled.
Ohhh... this one so struck my heart. Like you, I'm so tired of even the religion of trying NOT to be religious! I just want to be a true worshiper of Jesus and to follow His compassionate footsteps. I want to see my neighbor - my cashier - my banker - the guy driving beside (or behind) me... as Jesus sees them, as He sees ME.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to realize that I (in my beliefs) am in no way superior to anyone else. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. And I'm so glad. :)
The religion of trying not to be religious...yes, exactly. I also want to see everyone the way He sees me.
DeleteI sometimes wonder if humility really looks more like humiliation than the neat and tidy version we believers often embrace. Maybe humility feels more painful than we can ever imagine? Perhaps humility is not meant to make us feel good about ourselves? Maybe humility is really the polar opposite of pride? I have no answers. All I have is questions. I need a cup of coffee. :)
ReplyDeleteI really do understand what you are saying, but it is so hard to articulate.
DeleteThe POLAR opposite of pride. How do we become this?
I was thinking about this today, Ma, how humbling it would be if I would truly see myself as my enemies see me, not flattering at all...and if I react to them in my flesh, I only reinforce the ugly image they already have of me. I think if I keep that in mind it would help me have a truer perspective.
DeleteThankfully the Lord loves me blemishes and all, and that's the kind of love He expects me to give to those who irritate me the most. I have a very difficult time with that, a place that the Lord still has to sweep clean in me.
Hi Ma,
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking this too, lately, and it is freeing. I cannot change anyone, but God can, in His time, and I need Him to work on me (and not so I can correct others, sheesh).
I think the Word of God is personal, the Lord is working on me in ways that He may not be working on others, or not in the same order. We can point others to the Shepherd, and then trust that He will do the rest (unless truly led by Jesus to instruct, give a word of wisdom, etc, and then it must be in true humility of the fact that we don't get it right all the time either, and we can tell when it is done in a "holier than thou"...and so can they)
Great thoughts :)
Freeing...yes!
Deleteworking in different order...exactly!
Galatians 5
I think that you are absolutely right Susan that it is the Lord who truly changes others. I also think that you are absolutely right that the Lord doesn't work on us all in the same way, and that it isn't always clear how He is working on us, but that He is working on us, and that we should take comfort from that. Thanks.
DeleteThere are so many things you say here to love and inspire. Yes, I don't live to just manage to squeak into heaven...I want to do what God wants and have Him be proud of me. At the end, I want Him to say "Well done, good and faithful servant!".
ReplyDeleteI think I used to live just to manage to squeak in, but I don't think that is the fullness of life He's called us into.
DeleteGod bless you as you draw near to Him and try to do what He is asking you to do!
ReplyDeleteThank you Connie.
DeleteI have been enjoying your latest series. :)
I've heard that this life is a Marathon, not a 50 yard dash, and you heard of the "Christian walk", like on a journey we're on and experiencing on our way toward heaven. It's a true blessing to be saved by the mercy and grace of God from those things that we all have done which grieved the Lord, and we rejoice with thanksgiving at our salvation and eternal life. But there is more. That Marathon is now, that walk is today and we're on that journey through this life in this place at this time that the child of God is to enjoy now. In John 10:10, Jesus says: The thief’s (Satan's) purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.(NLT) Sure, we are disciples of Christ (meaning followers & students) were we are learning as we going. But as we follow our Lord and experience this life that He has given us, it is to be rich and satisfying for us ... a blessing with true joy as we discover truth and meaning, growing in love and grace, and maturing in the likeness of Jesus. In this process is God great command in Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Be as you so rightly said; "I want to be caring, compassionate, sacrificing myself for others.....NOT because I have to but because I want to." Not because its what I do, but because it is who I am. Don't just bring the message, but authentically be the message ... a child of God. Thanks Ma ... for being Ma.
ReplyDeleteBe the message.
DeleteI know that my attempts at "showing people the light" in the past have seemed phony and self-righteous, and I believe it is because I was operating out of fear and not love.
You have a feature on your blog that post your Blogger friend's first Blog message ever. I added my first Blog there today and it's titled "Life is a learning experience". I'm not trying to make excuses for our thoughts and actions of our immature and inexperience in the past. When I had our first son, I didn't know how to be a parent, but I learned as I went ... I grew with my child. Is it any different with our Christian walk? We learn (along with studying the Bible) by experiencing life and have our honest mis-interpretations brought to true light. The love of God was there and moves us forward. I think the old fear moved you & I to discover and find the truth that removed those fears, that if we never experienced and would remain. But now opens the door to true joy and thanksgiving because we take off the old and put on the new. Ephesians 4:21-24(NLT)puts it this way: "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." Our past brings us to today on our way to tomorrow. Praise be to God! Thank you Lord for Ma.
DeleteYour words really resonate with me. I was talking with my wife the other day about how I have felt less interested in theology lately. It's not that theology is bad, of course. In fact, doctrine is very important. However, I feel that my study of theology hasn't done much recently to help me grow in love for Christ or my neighbor. If anything, I think that it has just nudged me to be more critical of various Christian denominations than I would care to admit.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think that your desire to cultivate a truly selfless love for God and others and to help others do the same is truly wonderful. It is a blessing indeed. Thanks to you and to all who comment here, including Susan. I have learned much from you all, and you have all helped me to grow as a Christian. God bless,
L.
I love theology, too, and it is important to a degree, but I did find that it kind of just made me a better gnat-strainer and not much else.
DeleteIf I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.
Exactly. Your quote of 1 Cor 13 is right on target. Theology is great, but if we don't have the love of Christ, then what has theology gained us? You know, I just had a thought - doctrine plays the role for many of us that ritual purity played for the Pharisees. It certainly has for me.
DeleteIn God's economy the way up is down. Facedown before God. Keep that humble posture of submission and you will be just fine.
ReplyDeleteSubmit yourself to the Lord, humble yourself and he will lift you up.
Theology is fine and dandy, but when it turns you into a Pharisee and that is how you measure whether you will get to heaven or not, is when it becomes dangerous. You are doing good! It is about Jesus. It is about a relationship with Him. He will show you the way!
I find God's economy very important, and interesting. In it, we get a glimpse of what truly pleases Him: humility, justice, love, and forgiveness.
DeleteAnd isn't this what we really all need?
Me too, my friend, me too.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
DeleteI know you also truly have a heart for God. It's so nice to meet like minded sisters (and brothers) on the internet:)
"He gives second chances and thirds, and fourths, and seventy times seven." Thank God! for the spirit is willing but the body is weak. Your post resonated with me on all points. Our pastor was saying (just today) that if we are true humble (which also means obedient from a heart of faith) we will make some people exceedingly happy and others very sick and/or angry. I want to be humble with a heart after God, not a perfect heart, not on this side of life, but a willing heart open for more of Him!
ReplyDeletewe will make some people exceedingly happy and others very sick and/or angry
DeleteI wonder how we love those who we make angry. I am thinking about that, too.
O I am so glad with a God Who saved sinners. Thats waht I am. Sinner. And it is so amazing for me Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Yes, He gives second chances and thirds, and fourths, and seventy times seven. Thank you ma, for this frank blog.
ReplyDelete