I'm Not a Real Christian, and Neither are You

Real Christians care for "the least of these."

Real Christians are loving.

Real Christians aren't judgmental.

Real Christians cherish all life.

Real Christians don't worry about offending people.

Real Christians care for Creation.

Real Christians know that Man is set apart.

Real Christians will support Christian music/movies/media.

At one point in time or another, I have heard all of these, from varying sources.  And in many ways, they are all true, but many are not quite so black and white.

See, we as humans really like to make everything as easy as possible.  If we can sum up our faith neatly, without getting down and dirty, we are delighted.  It makes loving God so easy!  And more importantly, it makes us feel smug because we can define what Real Christians are based on our own gifts, abilities, and already established world views.  However, when we dig into God's Word, and I mean really dig in, not just read to find things to justify what we already want to think, we discover that being a Real Christian is anything but tidy.

See, the people God has to work with to further His kingdom are all a mess themselves.  Some of our problems are actually biological- we snap at people when we're hungry, we are accidentally thoughtless when we are tired, and our American culture has convinced us to be slender and busy at all times.  However, we cannot negate that most of our problems can be traced back to the sin that caused that beautiful angel to be banished from God's presence- pride.

Why do we argue over things with other Christians?  And I'm not talking healthy debate, because that is extremely important for our growth.  I'm talking about arguing and belittling and declaring what Real Christians are.  Have you ever heard someone say what a Real Christian was and have it NOT be something that they themselves believed or how they consistently behaved already?  Me, neither. We take pride in knowing that we understand the Bible or the Holy Spirit.  We are the Pharisee in Luke 18, whose prayer of gratitude is that he is not as bad as everyone else, and that he obeys God appropriately.

Here's the thing.  If we love our neighbor, what does that look like?  First of all, it takes work.  Work that might cut into our Dr. Who binge on Netflix, or cost us money we wanted to use on cute shoes.  Work that requires we set aside ourselves, not go and help the bare minimum so we can pat ourselves on the back and say we did something Good, but actual work.  We need to listen to people's stories, even if they drone on and on like Ben Stein's character, or if their story is rife with bad choices and obvious character flaws.  Did we apply and interview to gain Christ's grace?  Neither should we be stingy with ours.  When we listen to people's stories, we can know how best to love them.  Sometimes that means supporting them and finally being someone who doesn't cast stones.  Sometimes that means speaking difficult truths that they won't want to hear.  Sometimes it's not judging someone, and sometimes, it is. 

We need to show respect to each other.  When Jesus was crucified and even the thief on the cross near him was mocking him, did He hurl sarcastic zingers at him?  Nope.  We like to do that, because it makes us feel smarter than people who make fun of our beliefs.  Which can be traced back to pride.

We need to stop cherry-picking the Bible to serve our own purpose.  This means you.  Yeah you.  And this means me, too.  We can justify just about anything if we utilize our concordance for that purpose.  But that won't make us Real Christians.  God's Word is strange and mysterious and confusing and obvious and complex.  Don't let anyone tell you what it says without reading the whole of it yourself.

I know many people believe that some Christians are more worried about not offending people and are therefore offending God.  But if we are unkind and unloving to people- people that God loves enough to give over His Son for- wouldn't that offend God?  There is no one-size-fits-all answer.  It IS appropriate to be gentle with people, sometimes.  And it IS appropriate to call people out on their behavior, even at the risk of offense, sometimes.  If we are letting active love be our guide, we will know when to use which.

Real Christians are humble.  Real Christians seek after Truth, even if it means changing what they've always believed.  Real Christians love God.  Real Christians love others actively.

I'm not a Real Christian, not yet.  But I am a disciple of Jesus, so there's hope for me.

Prayer...Warrior?

A few months ago, there was a period that God was totally answering many of my prayers in super obvious and fairly immediate ways.  I felt like I had ascended to a new level of prayer awesomeness and that there was nothing I couldn't ask for that God wouldn't grant. 

Then He got over that.  Maybe I was starting to get too bold.  Maybe I was beginning to ask for things that simply aren't in The Plan.  Maybe I wasn't really praying within The Plan.  Whatever the reason, it took very little for me to start to get discouraged.

See, I'm a 21st Century American.  I like results.  I like results this very second, and if I can't have them, I'd like to obsessively track their arrival time.  I want things to work the way I want, and I'd like to get a full refund if they don't.  Of course, the God who created the universe exists in a slightly different schedule than me.  Clearly he just doesn't see how urgent everything is. 

You would think that the woman who had to wait 18 years to get her wonderful child would understand the need for patience.  You would think.  Instead, I easily get discouraged and start to become convinced that God just doesn't listen to me, or worse, doesn't care.

Now, when I'm not feeling all sorry for myself and assuming that the entire world revolves around me, I can acknowledge that God has blessed me immeasurably.  We have a home, we have plenty of food in our bellies, we have friends and family whom we love and who love us.  Plus God knows that granting someone the fruits of the Spirit is not always as effective as having them learn them.  But seriously?  It would be so much better if I could have patience NOW, and if I could just exhibit goodness, dagnabbit!!  Yet, I have learned through trial and error to have joy, and to practice love through action.

I hate that I get discouraged so easily.  I know God isn't a vending machine.  I know that if I open my eyes, I see all the good things He has done and shown His love.

What about you?  How do you get discouraged when you know you shouldn't?

Here Am I, Lord. Send me!

The other day I was reading Isaiah, and I was struck by the prophet's willingness to volunteer for whatever God wants of him.  It's not an unfamiliar verse: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

When contemplating what God's plan is for me, I've prayed that verse many times, when I've stumbled across something that I am willing to do.  But that's not what Isaiah did.  God asked who would do His bidding, and, without knowing what it was going to be, Isaiah raised his hand.

When Jesus went around collecting His disciples, He didn't lay out a recruitment plan, or hand out brochures asking people to follow Him if they felt it was good for their family, or something that would further their ten year goal.  He said, "Follow me" and they did.

What happened?  Somewhere along the way, it has become acceptable for us to either choose for ourselves what God wants us to do, or wait until God's hand is writing on the wall and we've been swallowed by a large fish before we submit.  We make reasonable excuses or assume someone else "with that calling" will do it.  We claim the highest regard for those who serve God in ways that we "just can't."

That's a bunch of malarkey.

Many years ago, I went to my oldest sister's church, and they were having a ceremony in which they were sending people into ministry.  Those being sent, June included, came walking in holding a candle, saying, "Here am I, Lord. Send me!"  I don't remember which of my sister's many adventures she was about to embark on, or anything else about that ceremony.  But I was moved by the beauty and simplicity of the willingness to go where God would send.

Here's the thing, though.  I am confident that I would do whatever God asked of me, as soon as I knew what it was. Just raising my hand and saying, "OK, God, what do You need?  I'm Your gal!" is far scarier.  He might want me to interact with drug users.  He might want me to go to Africa.  He might want me to give up my relaxation time and help at church.  He might want me to touch homeless people.  He might want me to open my stable home to disturbed, neglected children who will likely be difficult and make me cry.  He might want me to get out of my comfort zone!!

Because, you know, it was super easy for Jesus to take my sin upon Himself and die an excrutiating death. No biggie.  Totally nothing like the possibility that I might have to smell dirty people! 

Oh my word.  When will I ever learn to get over myself?  First off, our purpose here is to further the Kingdom.  Secondly, God is not going to expect us to do anything that we can't handle.  Thirdly, there isn't anything with His help and grace that we can't handle.

I am not there yet.  I admit, I am still pretty scared to just open my arms and accept whatever it is God commands.  I'm getting there.  Actually, if you could pray for me, that would be awesome.  How about you?  What are you afraid God will send you to do?