I thought about just leaving the title and not saying another word. I mean what else can one say. Granted it wouldn't make for a very useful blog but it is the truth. And to tell you the truth sometimes the truth hurts. I consistently go against what God desires. I get going on one thing and it goes well then another pops up. I get torked off. (for those of you who aren't familiar with the phrase "torked off," it means upset...It is a scientific term, no worries) Is that what Christianity is all about? Striving for the ending of sin? Is it about going to heaven?
So what is the point? I get up do the same routine each day then go to church on Sunday. I may or may not hear about what God "calls" me to but hey I am doing the best I can. It's all good. I made a choice a long time ago to accept this gift of grace to repair my brokenness so that I may relate to the One who created all things. I have faith that through Christ God has and will continue to forgive me. Well check that box. I am guaranteed a spot. I'm donesky!
So what is the point? I get up do the same routine each day then go to church on Sunday. I may or may not hear about what God "calls" me to but hey I am doing the best I can. It's all good. I made a choice a long time ago to accept this gift of grace to repair my brokenness so that I may relate to the One who created all things. I have faith that through Christ God has and will continue to forgive me. Well check that box. I am guaranteed a spot. I'm donesky!
Not so fast. I'm confused. If that was all there was to it, why do people devote their lives to be missionaries, or pastors, or Sunday school teachers. There has to be more to it, right? I know the Bible talks about in the book of James. James 2:14 (NIV), "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save them?" Uh oh...On first look this freaks me out. I'm, really donesky now! So deeds are important but why? Later in James 2:15-17 the writer states, and I think this is pretty cool, "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
I need this verse. God has done and will do amazing things in my life. I am confident in this. I am going to live after this world in a way that I cannot even imagine. Tears fill the crevices of my hands. I cry because of a love that no other human could display. I wouldn't say I am the "worst person" out there. There are plenty of people that do things "worse" than me. But that isn't what it is about. Each of us sins. Whether we are cognizant (big word alert, sorry it means 'knowing') of our sin or not, we still fail to meet the line drawn before us. It is because of grace that we have a way out of despair.
This relationship fills us with the compassion, energy, and grace to help those around us. There have been times in journey as a Christian that I thought that appearing perfect to others was the way to fulfill this verse. I could not have been more wrong. This verse is opposed to everything and every reason why I was do what I was doing.
It reminds me of people that say, "Hey there are people drowning in the ocean! Oh my gosh, those poor people. I wonder if they know about his life preserver I have? HEY, YOU PEOPLE DROWNING! DID YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE A LIFE PRESERVER? I GOT IT FOR FREE! IF YOU COULD JUST GET TO THE SHORE I WOULD SHOW YOU HOW TO USE IT! IT'S AWESOME! That was me. I cared to much about this idea of telling people "God Bless" rather than helping them ashore. James sums it up pretty well.
James 2: 18b-19, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder."
God, forgive me for my lack of compassion. Create in me a heart that understands grace. Help me to get past myself and focus on the people in need around me, whether they are in plenty or want. Thank you for providing me with the strength each day to love more. It is my cry that I may grow closer to you each day. You are good. ~Amen
I need this verse. God has done and will do amazing things in my life. I am confident in this. I am going to live after this world in a way that I cannot even imagine. Tears fill the crevices of my hands. I cry because of a love that no other human could display. I wouldn't say I am the "worst person" out there. There are plenty of people that do things "worse" than me. But that isn't what it is about. Each of us sins. Whether we are cognizant (big word alert, sorry it means 'knowing') of our sin or not, we still fail to meet the line drawn before us. It is because of grace that we have a way out of despair.
This relationship fills us with the compassion, energy, and grace to help those around us. There have been times in journey as a Christian that I thought that appearing perfect to others was the way to fulfill this verse. I could not have been more wrong. This verse is opposed to everything and every reason why I was do what I was doing.
It reminds me of people that say, "Hey there are people drowning in the ocean! Oh my gosh, those poor people. I wonder if they know about his life preserver I have? HEY, YOU PEOPLE DROWNING! DID YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE A LIFE PRESERVER? I GOT IT FOR FREE! IF YOU COULD JUST GET TO THE SHORE I WOULD SHOW YOU HOW TO USE IT! IT'S AWESOME! That was me. I cared to much about this idea of telling people "God Bless" rather than helping them ashore. James sums it up pretty well.
James 2: 18b-19, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder."
God, forgive me for my lack of compassion. Create in me a heart that understands grace. Help me to get past myself and focus on the people in need around me, whether they are in plenty or want. Thank you for providing me with the strength each day to love more. It is my cry that I may grow closer to you each day. You are good. ~Amen
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