Confused Christians

Today, I woke up to the sound of thunder rolling through the countryside and rain pounding on the window. I was excited. I love thunderstorms. The drive to work was quite dreary- at times the rain was pounding down so fast that my windshield wipers couldn't keep up, even though they were flying so fast that I thought they'd tear off and go soaring through the air, hitting some poor unexpecting object. But really, I was okay with it. In fact, I thanked God for the rain, because we know that the farmers could certainly use it.

Fast-forward to a little ways into the day. I saw an argument, online, about how we as Christians should be responding to this bit of a crazy-spell, weather wise. One was complaining (lightheartedly) about the snow they were receiving up north. One, was telling the other that they should not be complaining, but be thankful and grateful at all times- like God wants us to be.

A little bit of me cringed inside. It brought me back to some recent thinking.

Several weeks ago, on the way back from church, my husband and I started talking about how sad it is that we, as Christians, are often afraid to talk about our faith with other Christians. We're supposed to be out, living as examples and sharing the good news with others- but we can't even talk about Christian things with Christian people. Why? Because there are so many different ideas about different things these days and if you don't do things exactly the same, things can get rocky. It often seems that we judge and get judged in a repetitive and destructive cycle.

We tend to separate ourselves based on who has more "knowledge" or who's "theology" matches ours best, rather than helping each other get to a new level. We don't pay any attention to so-and-so's words, because seriously, what kind of Christian are they anyways? We nit-pick and argue and decide that we're sticking with this group over here, because they're just like ourselves.

We all have different opinions on issues- mainly marriage equality, how "relevant" the Bible is to today's culture, who Jesus really was, etc. In fact, there's so many different opinions (and loud ones at that) that most of the time I'm afraid to even say, "hey, this is what I believe."

We're afraid to celebrate what God's doing in our lives and hearts, because we're looking at the other person over there who's peering down at us from their picture-perfect life. It's frustrating. It's exhausting. It's discouraging. How come we can't all be on one page about things and accept that every person is at a different stage in their walk of faith? Let's listen to each other, and learn, and pray.

That's all I really needed to rant about today. But I wanted to leave you with something that can't be debated and something that I feel so strongly about that I'm not afraid- God is SO good. He's so fantastically good. Lately I have been completely overwhelmed over and over about how often he protects us, provides for us, and walks with us, even through the not-so-easy times. He's always there and he's always helping us out- even if we don't ask him for it. I mean, wow. It just blows me away to think about it. Maybe we should focus more on things like that- instead of telling others where they're falling short or focusing too intently on where we think we are lacking. Maybe we should be asking God to work on our own hearts, and what needs to be done there, because seriously, we all could use that over and over and over.

Let's support each other- not dig trenches and put up walls.

A Short Note

It's been a little while since I've said hello to this little space. My thoughts have kind of been jumping to and fro, but never really wanting to settle on the page- or should I say, keyboard.

My heart has been a little heavy since hearing some news on Tuesday. News that a man not much older than I, passed away suddenly on Tuesday. I didn't know him personally, but I have friends who did, and I knew a little about him. Wow. If there's ever been anyone that I'm 100% is in Heaven right now? It's him. His Facebook page is completely flooded with incredible messages on how he touched the lives of others. Completely flooded. And honestly, I can't speak for those closer to him, but that has to ease the sting a little bit. This man lived such a good life, and even though there will be pain of missing him, he was who we all ought to be like.

It's really made me think about what I would leave behind if I didn't make it to tomorrow. Would there be a hint of joy in the hearts of those around me? Would there be wonder as to who I really was? I hope to continue my journey to whoever the Lord wants me to become.

For those of you who are faithful prayer warriors- pray for those touched by this situation. This man was a leader for a campus ministry at the college I went to. I know there are many college students who are hurting, rejoicing, questioning, and looking to God. I'm thankful for the influence of a life of someone who never knew me.

My thoughts are not complete. My answers are not firm, but God is God and I am not. And I know that God is faithful.

On My Thoughts and a Poem

Lately, I have been thinking about faith. I have been thinking about having faith like a child- how simple things can be- instead of how difficult that we make them. I have been thinking about how much more joy comes when we simply believe, instead of analyzing and discussing and arguing beyond the simple words we are given. I have been thinking about what it means to share our faith- how debating and spouting out our views never does anything. How it is hard to tell someone why you so desperately want them to believe, even if you have the best of intentions. How a desire to show love can be mistakenly seen as ridicule and hatred.

But maybe it's not about telling. Maybe it's not about seeing something disagreeable and responding with the way that you feel. Maybe it's about living, being, and doing.

Maybe it's about this...

On Thy Wondrous Works I Will Meditate (Psalm 145)
v.7
-Mary Oliver-

I know a man of such
    mildness and kindness it is trying to
change my life. He does not
    preach, teach, but simply is. It is
astonishing for he is Christ's ambassador
    truly, by rule and act. But, more,

he is kind with the sort of kindness that shines
    out, but is resolute, not fooled. He has
eaten the dark hours and could also, I think,
    soldier for God, riding out
under the storm clouds, against the world's pride and unkindness
    with both unassailable sweetness, and consoling word.