How many times have you heard that this person or that person, or maybe yourself is not acting very "Christian"? Vulnerability is a big risk, because there will always be people who will not like what you have to say or reject who God has made you and not like the experiences you have had. consider ways that you might share your experiences, thoughts, and dreams with others at church. Expect that not everyone will rejoice with you or mourn with you, but I truly believe that anyone who really understands the grace of God will be grateful for your story and come away with a greater picture of the goodness of our God.
Christianity is a beautiful and flawless piece of music composed by God. Sometimes, the musicians (us) attempting to play it hit a few wrong notes or play it off key. Sometimes we make such an awful noise that they cause their audience to run away from them, holding their ears! But every now and then, a musician who is practiced in their Christianity plays the music and it is glorious and wonderful and sweet. We shouldn't fault the composer (Jesus) when unpracticed musicians play His composition; a composition should be judged when it is played by the best, not the worst.
The thing is that we are all immature and immaturity means that a goal has not been met. Imperfection means that things are not as they should be at a given stage of development. There’s a big difference. Adam was created perfect but he still required instruction to grow in his maturity. Jesus was created perfect but even he “kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
When I think about it this way a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. The big struggle of so many Christians, including myself, is a lack of patience with themselves or others for not being instantly “finished”. I am convinced that when you read the Bible, you realize that the “heroes of the faith” tend to be no different – flawed people who nonetheless are chosen and loved by a God who is not too proud to be associated with them. There is Peter, denying that he knows Jesus in Matthew 26. And then there is God, calling himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6, among others), and proclaiming that Peter is the rock upon which he will build his church (Matthew 16:18), forever associating himself with his flawed yet beloved followers.
For all of my weaknesses and sins, I get the sense that God likes us, that God is using us anyways, and that because when we are vulnerable, God will get the glory for not kicking us to the curb but instead loving, forgiving, and using him to bring others to Him. remember that the grace that has been bestowed upon us is so much greater than we can give back. Let us purpose to show this grace to others. The world is starving for grace and will take notice when we show this to each other. This is the music our world needs to hear!
Christianity is a beautiful and flawless piece of music composed by God. Sometimes, the musicians (us) attempting to play it hit a few wrong notes or play it off key. Sometimes we make such an awful noise that they cause their audience to run away from them, holding their ears! But every now and then, a musician who is practiced in their Christianity plays the music and it is glorious and wonderful and sweet. We shouldn't fault the composer (Jesus) when unpracticed musicians play His composition; a composition should be judged when it is played by the best, not the worst.
The thing is that we are all immature and immaturity means that a goal has not been met. Imperfection means that things are not as they should be at a given stage of development. There’s a big difference. Adam was created perfect but he still required instruction to grow in his maturity. Jesus was created perfect but even he “kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
When I think about it this way a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders. The big struggle of so many Christians, including myself, is a lack of patience with themselves or others for not being instantly “finished”. I am convinced that when you read the Bible, you realize that the “heroes of the faith” tend to be no different – flawed people who nonetheless are chosen and loved by a God who is not too proud to be associated with them. There is Peter, denying that he knows Jesus in Matthew 26. And then there is God, calling himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6, among others), and proclaiming that Peter is the rock upon which he will build his church (Matthew 16:18), forever associating himself with his flawed yet beloved followers.
For all of my weaknesses and sins, I get the sense that God likes us, that God is using us anyways, and that because when we are vulnerable, God will get the glory for not kicking us to the curb but instead loving, forgiving, and using him to bring others to Him. remember that the grace that has been bestowed upon us is so much greater than we can give back. Let us purpose to show this grace to others. The world is starving for grace and will take notice when we show this to each other. This is the music our world needs to hear!
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