this morning i didn't go to church. to compensate i listened to a podcast from passion city church titled "We Are: The Light of the World". Long story short, it's challenged me as a christian, in the sense that, am i in this world making a difference? or am i just of this world, feeling as insignificant as the enemy wants me to feel. "yes, yes ana. we've heard you talk about this story before". Yeah i know, but i thought it was incredibly timely for this season i'm going through.
God has really been nudging the importance prayer has in our walks and roles as christians. after all,
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6: 12 [NKJV]. Jesus' life completely emulates this. He was born in a stable, His best friends that he served with were fishermen, tax officers - one even betrayed him. He hung out with prostitutes and the rejected folk of society, because they were morally disgusting. He then gave His life away, after forgiving the men who whipped him, spat on him and look down on him - dying like a criminal. I don't think Jesus at any point, lifted a finger of judgement during his lifetime all those years ago.
what can we learn from this? what ever happened to grace and mercy? when did we christians begin having that stereotype of being segregated from the world? when did it become a 'here we go again' when we see some (silly) ones picketing at places? we cannot attack people for things they devoid of. we can't physically fight for God's love to reach them, see how ironic that is?
the biggest impact i could ever make was understanding the circumstances of people and prayer. if we could humble ourselves and develop that crazy love for people. if we could look outwards towards God who'll direct our veiw in the world, instead of us internally or as just amongst other christians - think of the kind of place our little worlds and communities would be.
everyone goes through different degrees of pain and suffering. everyone wants to be valued and loved. everyone wants forgiveness and redemption in certain aspects of their lives. all God really wants me to do, is share the love that Christ has for them, the same love He has for me. The love that liberates me from the chains i bind myself in. Gosh, how could i ever abuse this capacity of grace?
2 comments:
Whoa, spot on with your third paragraph! I love the whole concept of grace and mercy. I honestly want to be less judging & less critical, more gracious and more merciful. Sincerely!
PS. Where were you today? Happy Father's day to tito Manuel. [:
PPS. Biickkii
Actually it isn't a "concept", more like "action" .. and "gifts" .. [:
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