Anyone lining up to get a check up?
Probably not.
One class in my undergraduate studies does not a doctor make!
What is funny is that 70.5% of the American population considers themselves a Christian and yet only 11% of that group has read the Bible in its entirety, and only 9% having read it more than once.
True, you don't have to read the Bible to be a Christian. Christianity is not earned, its willingly received. That trips people up though because becoming a Christian isn't an item on a checklist but a new beginning.
Christianity is an understanding that we can't do life on our own. The standard of perfection is not attainable for us humans and we need Jesus' gift of life because of his perfect life on earth and death on the cross and resurrection to be forgiven of all the wrongs we have done.
Christianity is surrender - surrender to Jesus and his ways. This surrender is often counter to our culture but honestly, it's also counter to our human nature. The Bible is, simply put, a letter. Yes, its more than that - its history, its poetry, its prophecy but at its heart its a letter, a story given to his children (that's us). Its God way of speaking to us. Yes, it can be intimidating but its not impossible. It starts with a step, followed by another step. How can you know who God is, what God wants with us and from us if you don't read the Bible?
The beauty of Christianity and the Bible is balance, and when someone goes too far one direction they lose the beauty of it all. The teeter totter holds truth on one side and grace on the other. When you stand in the middle of the two, you have found the sweet spot. Sustaining that takes daily connection with God.
Religion is common place, but the relational focus of Christianity is unparalleled. We must enter into a relationship with our Savior and daily walk with him to find the road and stay on it.
Unfortunately, this is not happening and I can't imagine what that discord must look like to God. We are all his children and we are fighting and killing each other. We have abandoned the hallmark of who he is - love. We have walked away from truth in search of popularity or happiness and yet we haven't found what we thought we would. The label of Christian is doing more harm than good in some corners of this country, because like my doctor analogy, people are claiming a faith they have no knowledge of.
When I moved to Germany my junior year, the two years that followed weren't marked with the poor choices I made that led to two decisions of regret. No, the big problem when I arrived was one sentence that broke me. You see when I headed to Germany, I was walking away from some bad years that left hurt inside my soul. Not dealing with the pain I'd experienced, left me open to bitterness and bad choices.
I uttered to God, "I don't like what you have done with my life, and I am taking over."
I abandoned God.
That was what led me to a breaking point my Freshman year of college. Sure my wrecked virginity and subsequent abortion contributed to that pain, but when I FINALLY cried out to God, do you know what I found? It wasn't condemnation or judgement. I heard God say, "Carrie, I have been waiting. Waiting for you to give all of that to me, so I could fill you with my best." That day in the basement of my dorm hall, I wept and I gave God back what was always his - control of my life. He is a gentleman so he never forced me to follow him, but he let me see what my control led to - a mess.
At almost 39, my life is not perfect. I am still a mess, but God is directing my path and in him I am finding all the joy, comfort, direction I need. No one has ever loved me like God, and when I trust him with my life and seek him daily in Bible reading and prayer, I find what I need for today! He has my life in his hands, and I can trust He knows what He is doing!!! That is a Christian. Are you a Christian?
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