So I started a list of blog posts. This wasn't one of them. :-) This one came from having a conversation with a friend going through a "faith-building" season (when are we not all in a faith-building season???!!!).
I've noticed something over the past few years. Actually, I've noticed several things. One thing I've realized is I'm my own worst critic (another blog post for later). The thing I've noticed more and more recently? That whenever my faith waivers a little, I get out the boxing gloves for myself. It goes a little something like this. I feel like God promises me something. I start out super faith-filled. Then it gets hard. I still am full of faith. Then it's hard and it's been a while and I realize I didn't sign up for this long of a wait. So I kick myself. I get disappointed that I don't have an unwavering faith. Then I start believing again. Then I waver. Kick myself. Feel full of faith. It's a bitter cycle. Mixed in there are the times of me calling out to God asking Him what was going on and asking him to please confirm what He has said. Then it hit me.
Sometimes doubt is what draws me closer to the heart of God.
Think about it. Ever see a kid who isn't quite convinced his parents are going to come back from a trip or pick him up from the nursery at church? What does he do? The kid clings. Nothing else matters and suddenly that kid, who is otherwise rather self-reliant, suddenly will not let go of his daddy.
When I'm doubting, or at least wavering, I talk to God a lot. Like A LOT a lot. I whine. I ask Him if I really can hear His voice. I ask Him if He really did say what I think He said. You know what happens? He ever so kindly reminds me that I can hear His voice, He DID indeed promise me something, and reminds me I was made to make it. In those times of doubt He draws near and I cling to Him like a kid unconvinced her daddy really is coming home. Those moments are so intimate. I also find that right after that, I feel like I can have faith for years.
I'm not suggesting doubt is a spiritual discipline; I'm not suggesting we should have more of it. I'm suggesting that maybe we should quit beating ourselves up about our doubt and run to our Daddy. Let HIM tell us we can hear Him, assure us of what He said, and remind us we were meant to make it. I'm suggesting that we let doubt spring board us into the presence of God so that we gain intimacy and gain faith.
Beating ourselves up doesn't fix anything; clinging to Jesus fixes everything.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My Door and My Resolution
I realize the title of this post is super dramatic.
But so is the situation.
A year ago, a friend of mine was helping me move something into my new apartment. He said, "This would be a great place to have an outreach". Let me tell you about my neighborhood. Across the street are some more run-down looking townhomes, in dire need of a paint job. My apartment complex (I think) looks nicer: fresh paint, landscaping, picnic tables, and a general feel that people care about where they live. I cannot remember the last time I went more than 2 days without seeing a child in the street. It's mostly the higher end of low income or the lower end of middle income people who live here. There are families (my married neighbors have two kids), singles (um.. hello.. ME), young couples, single parents, college students, older adults, and at least one gay couple who live in my neighborhood. They are Asian, Hispanic, African American, and White. Basically, I live in a super diverse neighborhood that is ripe for the harvest.
Since moving here, I have had two visits from 7th Day Adventists (or perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses... they weren't super clear) and literature left from Jehovah's Witnesses. Tonight, two nice young LDS (Mormon) missionaries came to my door. Super nice fellows who braved the cold and wind to share what they believe is super important news. We had a great conversation on my stoop (my house is a mess and it didn't seem like a good idea to let two strange men into my house, no matter how wholesome they look) and they were super attentive.
As I shut my door, I realized something very startling... not a single evangelical Christian has come to my door. We talk about missions almost every Sunday. There are HUNDREDS of evangelical churches in Norman. There is ONE LDS (Mormon) church. I don't believe there are many 7th Day Adventist or Jehovah's Witness churches. So in a city where evangelicals outnumber these three groups by about 100:1, why has the majority never made it to my door? Either a, we're very bad at timing or b, we just aren't going. I know evangelicals are sharing. I know I have tried to share with some of my neighbors.
Tonight I'm thinking about the dozens of people who live in my apartment complex. I wonder if the only Jesus they've ever heard of has been filtered through these people who know a very different man than I do. My heart breaks to think perhaps I am their only chance and I haven't told them.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions; I believe we should make life changes as needed and not just when a certain date rolls around on the calendar. I'm reminded of an older song. A part of it says, "And all of life comes down to just one thing and that's to know you, Oh Jesus, and make you known" (One Thing by Charlie Hall). For 2013, I am resolved to know Jesus and make Him known.
But so is the situation.
A year ago, a friend of mine was helping me move something into my new apartment. He said, "This would be a great place to have an outreach". Let me tell you about my neighborhood. Across the street are some more run-down looking townhomes, in dire need of a paint job. My apartment complex (I think) looks nicer: fresh paint, landscaping, picnic tables, and a general feel that people care about where they live. I cannot remember the last time I went more than 2 days without seeing a child in the street. It's mostly the higher end of low income or the lower end of middle income people who live here. There are families (my married neighbors have two kids), singles (um.. hello.. ME), young couples, single parents, college students, older adults, and at least one gay couple who live in my neighborhood. They are Asian, Hispanic, African American, and White. Basically, I live in a super diverse neighborhood that is ripe for the harvest.
Since moving here, I have had two visits from 7th Day Adventists (or perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses... they weren't super clear) and literature left from Jehovah's Witnesses. Tonight, two nice young LDS (Mormon) missionaries came to my door. Super nice fellows who braved the cold and wind to share what they believe is super important news. We had a great conversation on my stoop (my house is a mess and it didn't seem like a good idea to let two strange men into my house, no matter how wholesome they look) and they were super attentive.
As I shut my door, I realized something very startling... not a single evangelical Christian has come to my door. We talk about missions almost every Sunday. There are HUNDREDS of evangelical churches in Norman. There is ONE LDS (Mormon) church. I don't believe there are many 7th Day Adventist or Jehovah's Witness churches. So in a city where evangelicals outnumber these three groups by about 100:1, why has the majority never made it to my door? Either a, we're very bad at timing or b, we just aren't going. I know evangelicals are sharing. I know I have tried to share with some of my neighbors.
Tonight I'm thinking about the dozens of people who live in my apartment complex. I wonder if the only Jesus they've ever heard of has been filtered through these people who know a very different man than I do. My heart breaks to think perhaps I am their only chance and I haven't told them.
I don't make New Year's Resolutions; I believe we should make life changes as needed and not just when a certain date rolls around on the calendar. I'm reminded of an older song. A part of it says, "And all of life comes down to just one thing and that's to know you, Oh Jesus, and make you known" (One Thing by Charlie Hall). For 2013, I am resolved to know Jesus and make Him known.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Laying Down Your Life
Let's be really clear: this is not one of my favorite posts. This post was convicting and it didn't make feel all warm and gooey inside.
This post reminded me of my selfishness.
Since Monday I've been thinking about John 15:13: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (NLT... my favorite, usually). So often we think about that verse in the context of dying. I imagine soldiers in a bunker WWII movie style, one going on a suicide mission to save the life of another. Honestly, I think (okay, hope) there are a lot of people I would die for.
But then I started thinking about who I would live for. By that, I mean who would I inconvenience myself for? That list is a lot smaller.
Tonight, I was thinking about this again in context of a particular situation. I felt like God asked, "Who would you lay down your rights for?"
Master-of-the-Universe-say-what?!
For who am I willing to give up my right to be right? My right to be understood? Am I willing to sacrifice my "right" to have things go as I planned? Who is important enough that I will lay down my right for justice or fairness?
Friends, that is tough. T.O.U.G.H! It's difficult when friends hurt you to ASSUME they didn't mean it. It's difficult to choose what you know to be true over actions. It's not easy to do something for someone else when it means you don't get to do what you want to do. It is hard to rejoice with those who get what you want and weep with those who didn't get what you did.
But isn't that friendship? Isn't that the very essence of love? That's what Jesus did for me 2,000 years ago. He left Heaven, where everything is perfect, to come here... where everything is anything but perfect. He left His seat at the right hand of God to be born in a manger, raised as a carpenter's son, mocked, ridiculed, and put to death. He was misunderstood. He was treated unfairly. His closest friends betrayed Him, yet He forgave them. He did miracles when He was tired. He loved when it was inconvenient.
I'm not suggesting we all become doormats. I'm not suggesting there is never a time to rest or to fight for justice. What I am saying is that we need to die to our "RIGHT" for these things and we need to put our lives in the hands of the Creator. We have to trust that He holds all things together and works ALL things for our good and His glory.
So come on, friends, lets go together to lay our lives down for each other. Just imagine how different the world would be!
This post reminded me of my selfishness.
Since Monday I've been thinking about John 15:13: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (NLT... my favorite, usually). So often we think about that verse in the context of dying. I imagine soldiers in a bunker WWII movie style, one going on a suicide mission to save the life of another. Honestly, I think (okay, hope) there are a lot of people I would die for.
But then I started thinking about who I would live for. By that, I mean who would I inconvenience myself for? That list is a lot smaller.
Tonight, I was thinking about this again in context of a particular situation. I felt like God asked, "Who would you lay down your rights for?"
Master-of-the-Universe-say-what?!
For who am I willing to give up my right to be right? My right to be understood? Am I willing to sacrifice my "right" to have things go as I planned? Who is important enough that I will lay down my right for justice or fairness?
Friends, that is tough. T.O.U.G.H! It's difficult when friends hurt you to ASSUME they didn't mean it. It's difficult to choose what you know to be true over actions. It's not easy to do something for someone else when it means you don't get to do what you want to do. It is hard to rejoice with those who get what you want and weep with those who didn't get what you did.
But isn't that friendship? Isn't that the very essence of love? That's what Jesus did for me 2,000 years ago. He left Heaven, where everything is perfect, to come here... where everything is anything but perfect. He left His seat at the right hand of God to be born in a manger, raised as a carpenter's son, mocked, ridiculed, and put to death. He was misunderstood. He was treated unfairly. His closest friends betrayed Him, yet He forgave them. He did miracles when He was tired. He loved when it was inconvenient.
I'm not suggesting we all become doormats. I'm not suggesting there is never a time to rest or to fight for justice. What I am saying is that we need to die to our "RIGHT" for these things and we need to put our lives in the hands of the Creator. We have to trust that He holds all things together and works ALL things for our good and His glory.
So come on, friends, lets go together to lay our lives down for each other. Just imagine how different the world would be!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
A Change in Perspective
I was having a "moment" in church today; one of those moments where I feel like I'm failing in at least one major area of my life. Let's be honest, we probably all have them. Let's be equally honest, we're probably not failing; we're probably actually succeeding so much that the Enemy wants us to believe we're failing.
I digress. That happens a lot.
So, I'm having a bit of a pity party. I mean, that's what you do when you feel like you're failing, right? In the midst of this, I asked God, "What's wrong with me?!" Yeah, I can be a little dramatic with God. We're friends: He can handle my drama. Obviously you should imagine what I said in the most dramatic girl voice possible. Then, in the kindest, softest, sweetest voice you can imagine, He said, "Quit asking Me what's wrong with you and start asking what's RIGHT with you."
Whoa. Game changer.
My natural instinct is to want to be perfect. Well, at least to my own standards of perfection. I don't have my dishes done all of the time nor do I floss. These things don't bother me. But in some places, I want to be perfect. I want to love people perfectly (yes, you can laugh). I want to respond perfectly. I want to be a perfect small group leader. I want to be the perfect friend. So when I'm not perfect (which is ALWAYS), I want to know how I can be perfect. Taking a meal to a family who just had a baby? I want it to be their most favorite meal, nutritionally balanced, and be cooked to perfection. Oh, I was 20 minutes late. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!?! Did you see that? What that family saw was that I took the time to sign up, I made a meal I thought they would like, made an attempt at it being nutritious, probably researched to think about what they would like, and delivered it. They probably really didn't care that it was 20 minutes late. I don't think I'd care if a free, hot, home-cooked meal was delivered to my door 20 minutes late.
My point is that I, along with so many others, miss the many good parts of myself because I spend a disproportionate amount of time gazing at the imperfections. Yes, we want to be more like Jesus. No, staring at imperfections does NOT make us look more like Jesus. Staring at JESUS makes us look more like Jesus.
This evening, I was having another pity party. I asked God what was wrong with me. He gently reminded me the question I needed to ask. Shockingly enough, He had a whole different outlook on the situation. When I asked that question it caused me to stare at Him. It was a game changer.
So, I encourage you to do the same. I even more so encourage you to ask God what's right with you when you AREN'T having a pity party. Go ahead, I bet it will blow your mind away. You are fantastic.
I digress. That happens a lot.
So, I'm having a bit of a pity party. I mean, that's what you do when you feel like you're failing, right? In the midst of this, I asked God, "What's wrong with me?!" Yeah, I can be a little dramatic with God. We're friends: He can handle my drama. Obviously you should imagine what I said in the most dramatic girl voice possible. Then, in the kindest, softest, sweetest voice you can imagine, He said, "Quit asking Me what's wrong with you and start asking what's RIGHT with you."
Whoa. Game changer.
My natural instinct is to want to be perfect. Well, at least to my own standards of perfection. I don't have my dishes done all of the time nor do I floss. These things don't bother me. But in some places, I want to be perfect. I want to love people perfectly (yes, you can laugh). I want to respond perfectly. I want to be a perfect small group leader. I want to be the perfect friend. So when I'm not perfect (which is ALWAYS), I want to know how I can be perfect. Taking a meal to a family who just had a baby? I want it to be their most favorite meal, nutritionally balanced, and be cooked to perfection. Oh, I was 20 minutes late. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!?! Did you see that? What that family saw was that I took the time to sign up, I made a meal I thought they would like, made an attempt at it being nutritious, probably researched to think about what they would like, and delivered it. They probably really didn't care that it was 20 minutes late. I don't think I'd care if a free, hot, home-cooked meal was delivered to my door 20 minutes late.
My point is that I, along with so many others, miss the many good parts of myself because I spend a disproportionate amount of time gazing at the imperfections. Yes, we want to be more like Jesus. No, staring at imperfections does NOT make us look more like Jesus. Staring at JESUS makes us look more like Jesus.
This evening, I was having another pity party. I asked God what was wrong with me. He gently reminded me the question I needed to ask. Shockingly enough, He had a whole different outlook on the situation. When I asked that question it caused me to stare at Him. It was a game changer.
So, I encourage you to do the same. I even more so encourage you to ask God what's right with you when you AREN'T having a pity party. Go ahead, I bet it will blow your mind away. You are fantastic.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
God is extravagant.. even with our wants
So at church you often hear about the kindness of God and His extravagance. Maybe you've had a better revelation than I, but I sort of think this means with our needs. I feel incredibly selfish asking God for something I WANT. I mean, yeah, a 2 bedroom apartment is nice.. but I could live with a roommate and support a starving child in Africa. But I also kept hearing about how God guarantees He provides for our needs and loves to be extravagant in His giving. (Don't get me started on the theology of why then some people are poor and their needs aren't met. I don't get it.)
I was asking God who He wanted to be for me in this season and what I am learning. One of the things He said was that I would learn about His kindness like never before. Let me be clear, some of the most apparent ways I've seen God's kindness is in the midst of incredibly painful times (like my dad dying). He is kind, He is kind, He is kind. But He's been reminding me He's extravagant (I know, I've said it 8,000 times) and He gives awesome gifts!
If you know me well, you know my phone saga. Last October (2011) I got a new phone. I got an HTC Evo. With Sprint. For the past several months, I've had more problems than successes. One end of my couch has great service; the other end drops calls. Standing at my stove is fine, but leaning over to put something in the oven or in the fridge (right next to it) means I drop calls. Group text conversations are over before I can read all of the messages. Problems problems problems. Sprint says they fixed them, but I wasn't convinced. Plus, honestly, I want an iphone. My phone problems have about been the proverbially straw to break the camel's back with how stressful the last few months have been. I can't tell you the number of times I've almost lost it because of the phone or about thrown it in the river.
So I've felt like God said at the end of October I could break my contract and get a new phone. It feels foolish. It'll cost money. Yesterday, specifically, I felt like He said to go get a new phone. This is the cool part. I asked how I was going to pay for it. I mean I have some money left from my tax refund, but I was reluctant to use it. He reminded me about dog-sitting (thanks, girls, for paying for part of my phone). I was like "Um, thanks, but it doesn't cover the cost of a phone" (felt like I was supposed to get an iphone 5). Told my sister about the phone. She reminded me she had $100 for me from a refund for a deposit at our old apartment. Awesome! Today, my mom said she was cleaning out a desk at her house and found an envelope with my name on it and about $100. She said it was obviously Christmas money I had put in there for safe-keeping. (Or perhaps God just put an envelope with money and my name on it in the desk). Then I remembered some Christmas money. All said and done, I have enough that if I can't completely cover the cost of breaking my contract, getting a new contract, and getting a phone... I definitely have enough covered that I can easily afford the rest.
God is an extravagant giver of our wants. :-)
I was asking God who He wanted to be for me in this season and what I am learning. One of the things He said was that I would learn about His kindness like never before. Let me be clear, some of the most apparent ways I've seen God's kindness is in the midst of incredibly painful times (like my dad dying). He is kind, He is kind, He is kind. But He's been reminding me He's extravagant (I know, I've said it 8,000 times) and He gives awesome gifts!
If you know me well, you know my phone saga. Last October (2011) I got a new phone. I got an HTC Evo. With Sprint. For the past several months, I've had more problems than successes. One end of my couch has great service; the other end drops calls. Standing at my stove is fine, but leaning over to put something in the oven or in the fridge (right next to it) means I drop calls. Group text conversations are over before I can read all of the messages. Problems problems problems. Sprint says they fixed them, but I wasn't convinced. Plus, honestly, I want an iphone. My phone problems have about been the proverbially straw to break the camel's back with how stressful the last few months have been. I can't tell you the number of times I've almost lost it because of the phone or about thrown it in the river.
So I've felt like God said at the end of October I could break my contract and get a new phone. It feels foolish. It'll cost money. Yesterday, specifically, I felt like He said to go get a new phone. This is the cool part. I asked how I was going to pay for it. I mean I have some money left from my tax refund, but I was reluctant to use it. He reminded me about dog-sitting (thanks, girls, for paying for part of my phone). I was like "Um, thanks, but it doesn't cover the cost of a phone" (felt like I was supposed to get an iphone 5). Told my sister about the phone. She reminded me she had $100 for me from a refund for a deposit at our old apartment. Awesome! Today, my mom said she was cleaning out a desk at her house and found an envelope with my name on it and about $100. She said it was obviously Christmas money I had put in there for safe-keeping. (Or perhaps God just put an envelope with money and my name on it in the desk). Then I remembered some Christmas money. All said and done, I have enough that if I can't completely cover the cost of breaking my contract, getting a new contract, and getting a phone... I definitely have enough covered that I can easily afford the rest.
God is an extravagant giver of our wants. :-)
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
You are Interesting!
So.. as you've probably realized, it can be a bit feast or famine with my blog. Since I warned everyone in my first post ever that it might be that way, I really don't feel bad. :-)
Recently, I've had a couple of experiences that make me want to shout (lovingly) in someone's face, "YOU ARE INTERESTING ENOUGH!!!" I've had multiple friends say they want to start a blog, but they don't seem to think they are interesting enough to have their own blog. Generally speaking, I find it's people like me.. who are single and childless. I know those thoughts because I've had them. I wanted (and felt called to) start a blog a long time before I ever began one. I didn't think my life was interesting enough for a blog. Most of my friends blogged about their husband, their kids, their crafts, or these super deep profound thoughts they could back up with 30 Scriptures. Others had a blog because they live in a foreign country. Let's review: I'm single, have no kids, don't craft a whole lot, feel pretty good if I throw in A Bible verse, and live in Oklahoma.
Then I realized there are THOUSANDS of women (and men) out there JUST.LIKE.ME. Maybe they needed to know you don't have to have any of those things to have a blog. Maybe they were interested in hearing what God is teaching me and my so very random adventures (do we remember dog-sitting THREE chocolate labs, friends?). Maybe someone else was dealing with grief and needed to know they weren't alone.
So here it is friends. You are enough (we'll talk about that in a different post)! Your life, however plain it may feel, is interesting to warrant a blog. Why? First, because you were created by an infinite God with a unique purpose, perspective, and calling. No one else can do what you do. You can speak to hearts in a way no one else can. Second, life does not begin when you get married, have kids, craft every pin on Pinterest, or move overseas. Third, there are t.h.o.u.s.a.n.d.s of people like you! There are people in your stage of life who enjoy reading about someone else facing the same things. Fourth, you have unique and original thoughts.
So.. go out and start that blog. Who cares if you only have 3 readers?!
And if you need someone to read or follow your blog.. let me know.. I'll be happy to. :-)
Recently, I've had a couple of experiences that make me want to shout (lovingly) in someone's face, "YOU ARE INTERESTING ENOUGH!!!" I've had multiple friends say they want to start a blog, but they don't seem to think they are interesting enough to have their own blog. Generally speaking, I find it's people like me.. who are single and childless. I know those thoughts because I've had them. I wanted (and felt called to) start a blog a long time before I ever began one. I didn't think my life was interesting enough for a blog. Most of my friends blogged about their husband, their kids, their crafts, or these super deep profound thoughts they could back up with 30 Scriptures. Others had a blog because they live in a foreign country. Let's review: I'm single, have no kids, don't craft a whole lot, feel pretty good if I throw in A Bible verse, and live in Oklahoma.
Then I realized there are THOUSANDS of women (and men) out there JUST.LIKE.ME. Maybe they needed to know you don't have to have any of those things to have a blog. Maybe they were interested in hearing what God is teaching me and my so very random adventures (do we remember dog-sitting THREE chocolate labs, friends?). Maybe someone else was dealing with grief and needed to know they weren't alone.
So here it is friends. You are enough (we'll talk about that in a different post)! Your life, however plain it may feel, is interesting to warrant a blog. Why? First, because you were created by an infinite God with a unique purpose, perspective, and calling. No one else can do what you do. You can speak to hearts in a way no one else can. Second, life does not begin when you get married, have kids, craft every pin on Pinterest, or move overseas. Third, there are t.h.o.u.s.a.n.d.s of people like you! There are people in your stage of life who enjoy reading about someone else facing the same things. Fourth, you have unique and original thoughts.
So.. go out and start that blog. Who cares if you only have 3 readers?!
And if you need someone to read or follow your blog.. let me know.. I'll be happy to. :-)
Love One Another.. Yup.. Even the Presidential Candidates
I had to do it.. I finally HAD to write a political post.
Let me be clear, this post will NOT be endorsing a candidate and I don't mean to even endorse a political party.
There is something that has bothered me about elections for a very long time. In fact, I get really, really furious about it. Lack of candidates I want to vote for? No. Political commercials and ads all over the place? No. Lies upon lies? No. Facebook feed filling up with political stuff? Closer, but no. Mudslinging? Closer, but no.
What really gets my blood boiling is when my fellow Christian brothers and sisters start spewing hate.
What happened to John 13:35, "And by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,"? What happened to 1 Timothy 2:1-3: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,"?
Filling up your social media with hateful things about the current President is not love and is not praying or giving thanks for him. I'm sorry if you voted for someone else 4 years ago. I'm sorry you don't agree with him (I don't always agree with him, either). But, please, can we at least show him human decency even if we can't show Christ's love? When you call him the anti-Christ, it does not show love nor does it make me think poorly of him. You know what is accomplished when a Christian's social media is filled with hate? It gives credence to the lies and half-truths non-Christians already believe: Christians are judgmental and hypocritical. How can you tell someone to love their neighbor when you show someone else a complete lack of respect? How can you tell your children to be kind and "live peaceably with all men" when you are stirring up dissension?
A co-worker once said, "I will pray for him because I am supposed to. But I will not listen to a single address he makes or watch a single thing he is involved with". Whoa, I don't think that's at all what God intended.
So, regardless of who you think is the better candidate or your feelings about who becomes our next President, I simply ask one thing: reflect Christ in your response.
Let me be clear, this post will NOT be endorsing a candidate and I don't mean to even endorse a political party.
There is something that has bothered me about elections for a very long time. In fact, I get really, really furious about it. Lack of candidates I want to vote for? No. Political commercials and ads all over the place? No. Lies upon lies? No. Facebook feed filling up with political stuff? Closer, but no. Mudslinging? Closer, but no.
What really gets my blood boiling is when my fellow Christian brothers and sisters start spewing hate.
What happened to John 13:35, "And by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,"? What happened to 1 Timothy 2:1-3: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,"?
Filling up your social media with hateful things about the current President is not love and is not praying or giving thanks for him. I'm sorry if you voted for someone else 4 years ago. I'm sorry you don't agree with him (I don't always agree with him, either). But, please, can we at least show him human decency even if we can't show Christ's love? When you call him the anti-Christ, it does not show love nor does it make me think poorly of him. You know what is accomplished when a Christian's social media is filled with hate? It gives credence to the lies and half-truths non-Christians already believe: Christians are judgmental and hypocritical. How can you tell someone to love their neighbor when you show someone else a complete lack of respect? How can you tell your children to be kind and "live peaceably with all men" when you are stirring up dissension?
A co-worker once said, "I will pray for him because I am supposed to. But I will not listen to a single address he makes or watch a single thing he is involved with". Whoa, I don't think that's at all what God intended.
So, regardless of who you think is the better candidate or your feelings about who becomes our next President, I simply ask one thing: reflect Christ in your response.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)