A Christian

 



"....oh,  because you're a Christian....", a friend rolled her eyes as she flippantly said the words.


It's one of the arguments or responses that I do grow weary of.


No, I don't think I'm better than you.   In fact I fiercely believe that Jesus Christ loved and suffered and died for you every bit as much as for me. 


No, I don't follow His counsel to show how good I am.  But because I trust Him.  I believe it is wise and prudent to follow His counsel.


No, I don't have some hidden agenda.  Treating people with love and serving others feels like the right way to live.


It can be difficult to share what drives my faith, when Satan wants us to find ways to weaponize it.  


I echo the words which Maya Angelou penned:

“I Am A Christian” 


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”

I’m whispering “I was lost,

Now I’m found and forgiven.”


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I don’t speak of this with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak

And need His strength to carry on.


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my mess.


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.


When I say … “I am a Christian”

I’m not holier than thou,

I’m just a simple sinner

Who received God’s good grace, somehow



I too received His grace.  I need it daily if not hourly.  I need his strength, his forgiveness, his mercy, his love.  


It's not about being "good".  


It's about being His. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Never Fall Away

Image
  In Alma chapter 23, the sons of Mosiah preached to the Lamanites. The law was declared that the word of God could not be obstructed. Note that the law did NOT say that everyone had to embrace and follow it, but their synagogues and temples and homes should be open to them. And then in verse six, something stuck out to me. Something that applies to our day. “They were converted unto the Lord and never did fall away.” NEVER DID FALL AWAY?? That sounds  like an important need in our day.   My immediate question was HOW?  So I read more closely. Verse 7: “For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.”  They became a righteous people. They did lay down the weapons of their rebellion. They did not fight against God. They did not fight against their brethren. So what does that mean for us?  BECOME a righteous people.  Be willi
Read more

Trust

Image
  As I was riding a bike down the former train route along the Idaho-Montana border, I had hours to quietly reflect and appreciate the lush mountain landscape extending around me as far as I could see.   I was in a prayerful state, open to the promptings of the Spirit.   At one point I came to the edge of a meadow and needed to sit and rest for a bit.   There I found a lovely rustic bench made from a tree right there in the forest.  And it occurred to me how often the things we need are right there in our lives around us. The people, the resources, our talents and gifts. Psalm 34:8 lovingly promises “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him”. He will provide.   And as we learn to recognize that help, we will become more grateful and happy. 
Read more

Seeing

Image
  Even after a full semester, the young 7th grader, who I will call Anna, didn’t seem to have any friends. She said didn’t mind and felt anxious around people.   I rotated her through groups and she would participate as directed but rarely smiled, although she didn’t seem particularly sad or distraught either.   More of an acceptance that this was her life. She didn’t ever talk back or ask questions but she also didn’t complete assignments quite right.  Her other teachers also said that she didn’t follow directions well.   I was patient.  Building trust.  With her and within our classroom.  This had to be a safe place to share the hard parts. And two months ago she finally told me.  She couldn’t see the board.   As in she couldn’t read it without getting within 6 inches of the board! I immediately emailed our school nurse who gave her a screening.  When I asked Anna she said that the test was fine. But the troubles persisted and finally I reached out to her mom and expla
Read more