A short answer to why people who believe in Jesus Christ can't just keep it to themselves.
If what I believe is true--mainly that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he came to earth and died and rose again for everyone so that they could be forgiven of all their wrongdoing, and join him in eternity, and that his Spirit guides those who believe in him to their fullest potential life on this earth, then not sharing this belief with you is wrong. Not only wrong, but cowardice, and unfortunately I have been guilty of this countless times--mainly because I'm worried you won't like me for sharing my faith (as it is now generally looked down on to do). If you don't share your beliefs or lack thereof with me, it doesn't harm anyone, but if I do the same, and I'm right, it could damn you to hell. So take it as a compliment--that someone, as crazy as he/she may seem, as odd and sometimes quite weird as they look would even approach you, they didn't have to. Next time they say, "Jesus loves you," just remember that they are trying to show what they believe is love.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The Irish' Ability to Suffer
It seems Scotland has been on my case since I arrived--from a hurt back, to colds and headaches, even pushing into migraine territory. Dave and I have had plenty of discussions about what he calls, "The Irish' ability to suffer," and I call, well, stubbornness. See, when Dave gets sick, he does nothing. And therefore, from my point of view, the sickness drags out for much longer than it would have being treated. When I get sick, I start shoving vit. C down my throat like it's going out of style, along with anything else I can think of that may help boost my immune system back into normalcy (mostly thanks to Heather Currado for showing me what that looks like, though I still refuse to swallow garlic like a pill; there are lines i do draw). But when I look at my daily life, my God-filled life, I realize I need a bit more of the Irish' ability to suffer.
I'm weak. I like comfort, friendship, my things, going out for coffee, etc. But when it rains for days on end, or when I'm lonely, or when the shipment of our stuff we shipped in November still hasn't arrived, I get frustrated. I don't automatically look start using the supplements of my faith in Christ to bolster me. And there are so many! If I only would, I could look around at the friendships God is forming in my heart in this new place, I could thank him for the rays of sunshine (no matter how brief), for the delight on my daughter's face as she encounters the local animals, or the TWO new coffee mugs Dave bought me to enjoy my morning coffee in. And even more than that, SO much greater, is my ability to sit down with the Word of God whenever I wish. To actually read and memorize this amazing piece of literature he left to encourage and guide me is a blessing beyond words.
For some reason, I have been on a few atheist facebook sites lately. I have friends who would post atheist memes or links, and I find myself intrigued and click on them. I usually spend most of my time looking at the comments below the link, and they selfishly make me sad. A lot of them demean Christians' intelligence for believing in a god. Most of the comments usually center on our insistence to base our faith and "rightness" on the Bible. And yet, I try and think what would I be without it. It's hard to think that way, since it's here, but I think I would believe in God anyway. At this point in my life, I would say God is more real to me in my life and heart and the actions he has displayed in my life than in reading the Bible. The Bible encourages me, teaches & guides me, but I know Christ is real in my heart, whether a piece of paper says it or not. And historically, this must be true as well. Were there not people that followed God before they could read his word, before it existed? Of course there were. Are there not still people that cannot read his word, either in their own language, or their own abilities, that believe anyway? Still yes. The Bible is my base, the thing that teaches me about my faith, but if no more existed, I would still believe.
As I sat this morning, with my coffee and my iphone--reading the Bible app (i really miss having my printed Bible, I didn't realize how much until I haven't had one in my hands for 4 months, but I do!), I was struck by one particular passage. My friend Elli and I are memorizing Hebrews 10:23-31, and I'm working on verses 32 & 33 right now. These verses are about times when persecution happened, and how they reacted to that persecution--how they stood strong in their faith and didn't waiver. I can't say my faith has ever brought me to a place of true persecution. My feelings have gotten hurt by callous words, my intelligence insulted, but my body and mind have never been beaten. How can I truly call myself a Christian if I cannot stand in day to day life with the confidence of my Saviour? I want to wear his name on my heart, his love on my sleeve, his truth on my lips, his smile of grace and mercy on my face.
Friends I need your encouragement to remember my Christ with every step. To be content without "my things," to be helpful when I'm lazy, to be kind when others are not so (and all I want is to be sarcastic). Will you challenge me? Will you tell me, when I've stupidly posted of facebook about my bad day, that God, my ever-loving, ever-LIVING Christ, is by my side, waiting for me to step up? Please do. I need it. I want to pursue Christ with a vengeance, not a whine. And I step into the hope of Christ as he teaches me to "suffer" with a smile.
I'm weak. I like comfort, friendship, my things, going out for coffee, etc. But when it rains for days on end, or when I'm lonely, or when the shipment of our stuff we shipped in November still hasn't arrived, I get frustrated. I don't automatically look start using the supplements of my faith in Christ to bolster me. And there are so many! If I only would, I could look around at the friendships God is forming in my heart in this new place, I could thank him for the rays of sunshine (no matter how brief), for the delight on my daughter's face as she encounters the local animals, or the TWO new coffee mugs Dave bought me to enjoy my morning coffee in. And even more than that, SO much greater, is my ability to sit down with the Word of God whenever I wish. To actually read and memorize this amazing piece of literature he left to encourage and guide me is a blessing beyond words.
For some reason, I have been on a few atheist facebook sites lately. I have friends who would post atheist memes or links, and I find myself intrigued and click on them. I usually spend most of my time looking at the comments below the link, and they selfishly make me sad. A lot of them demean Christians' intelligence for believing in a god. Most of the comments usually center on our insistence to base our faith and "rightness" on the Bible. And yet, I try and think what would I be without it. It's hard to think that way, since it's here, but I think I would believe in God anyway. At this point in my life, I would say God is more real to me in my life and heart and the actions he has displayed in my life than in reading the Bible. The Bible encourages me, teaches & guides me, but I know Christ is real in my heart, whether a piece of paper says it or not. And historically, this must be true as well. Were there not people that followed God before they could read his word, before it existed? Of course there were. Are there not still people that cannot read his word, either in their own language, or their own abilities, that believe anyway? Still yes. The Bible is my base, the thing that teaches me about my faith, but if no more existed, I would still believe.
As I sat this morning, with my coffee and my iphone--reading the Bible app (i really miss having my printed Bible, I didn't realize how much until I haven't had one in my hands for 4 months, but I do!), I was struck by one particular passage. My friend Elli and I are memorizing Hebrews 10:23-31, and I'm working on verses 32 & 33 right now. These verses are about times when persecution happened, and how they reacted to that persecution--how they stood strong in their faith and didn't waiver. I can't say my faith has ever brought me to a place of true persecution. My feelings have gotten hurt by callous words, my intelligence insulted, but my body and mind have never been beaten. How can I truly call myself a Christian if I cannot stand in day to day life with the confidence of my Saviour? I want to wear his name on my heart, his love on my sleeve, his truth on my lips, his smile of grace and mercy on my face.
Friends I need your encouragement to remember my Christ with every step. To be content without "my things," to be helpful when I'm lazy, to be kind when others are not so (and all I want is to be sarcastic). Will you challenge me? Will you tell me, when I've stupidly posted of facebook about my bad day, that God, my ever-loving, ever-LIVING Christ, is by my side, waiting for me to step up? Please do. I need it. I want to pursue Christ with a vengeance, not a whine. And I step into the hope of Christ as he teaches me to "suffer" with a smile.
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