THE SIMPLE LIFE

RELIGION, FAITH AND ALL THE DEEP STUFF

I actually wrote a ton of stuff down on Thursday but lost all it while trying to post. Hopefully I can remember what I said:

I just wanted to post my own thoughts in regards to the comments made by everyone here on Feb. 14th.

First, let me clarify that whenever I use the term Christians (online or in real life) I use it non-specifically, in no way implying only Protestants but also including Catholics. I say this cuz I have personal issues about using the term "Christians" as only pertaining to one particular group. I believe that anyone, regardless of their denomination, who not only BELIEVES in Jesus Christ but also FOLLOWS Him in their daily life is a Christian. That is, Catholics are also Christians if they fit the above description; just as some so-called "Christians" aren't really followers of Christ.

Logistics aside (and I'm sure I'll be getting responses to the above statement), there are two parts of the Monday discussion that I wanted to try to wrap my head around. I am in no way claiming that I know everything; on the contrary, I don't know/understand a lot and I'm just hoping to organize some of my own ideas. Please let me know your thoughts and maybe we can come up with something together!

1. Christians use a check-list to measure devotion.

I think the reason behind this faith needs to be understood in order to see why it may seem like there's a check-list. I remember Ray saying once that "Christianity is not a habit but a lifestyle". It’s being intentional in what you do.

I think that as someone who believes is Jesus, you should try your best to remember and reflect Christ's love daily, in everything that you do. I know this isn’t easy or even always possible. And I’m definitely not saying that I’m anywhere close to the vicinity of achieving this; but I don’t think that our humanistic self-serving nature should ever be used as an excuse for not even trying.

This is what Jolyn insightfully said the other day: “I think we can all be a little bit better everyday. I'm not satisfied with anything, just so I can motivate myself to keep things dynamic and always moving forward. But I'm content with what I have, and I have faith in all that's around me.” That’s what I’d like to be able to say.

Remembering and reflecting His love not only includes praying, fasting, going to Church, etc. but also how you interact with others; and more importantly, your reasons behind these interactions. "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Love, not just for our family and friends but also for the poor, the dirty, the sick, the drunk...it means for anyone and everyone who is in need of love. But most of all, it's love for God. Because He loved us enough to sacrifice Himself. And this is the reason why, or at least I think it should be the reason why people pray, fast and do all the other things.

It's with thanks that these things are done. We want to do them as our own personal way to show God that we love Him. If these things are done just because that is what’s always been taught but there’s none of our own individual reasons behind it then it really does just become a check-list and nothing more.

2. Sort of related and implied to the above...or if not implied, something that's been on my mind.

I have to somewhat agree that there seems to be a silent screening of amongst Christians. I see certain people within the religion who "screen" and place more importance on certain aspects. Eg. People who do missions are more spiritual than others. I completely disagree with this and I think Simon touched on this briefly with everyone being called to serve in different areas. No calling is more special than any other because they all ultimately contribute to a higher purpose. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function”.

I say this because I actually have a personal agenda. I will be leaving for Haiti in less than 8 hrs for a short-term missions trip. It’ll be with my on-campus fellowship and we’ll be there for one week providing eye care.

Some of you will be surprised because I’ve never mentioned anything. And it’s because I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be. Don’t get me wrong, it matters to me to a certain degree, but only because this is something that I’ve always wanted to do, to go somewhere else to help others and now I’ve been given an opportunity to do it.

I have to confess however, that my reasons for going don’t exactly align themselves with most mission trips. I don’t have a burden in my heart to share the Gospel with others. The thought makes me feel awkward and uncomfortable, not only because I don’t know how and that I’ve always been extremely turned-off by it when it happened to me, but also because I think my faith is a very personal thing that I don’t necessarily feel comfortable sharing with everyone. Does this make me less of a Christian? This was something that I was struggling with for the past couple of months and my answer is I don’t think so.

In the other post that I tried to write, I kept saying that I wanted to help others and that was my reason for going. It still is, but the closer I get to leaving, the more this reason becomes secondary. As much as I want to help others, I’m selfish and what I really want more than anything right now is for God to draw me closer to Him through this experience. My personal prayer is that I will be able to grow and become stronger in my faith through all the opportunities that He’s blessed me with.

I know I’m going to be humbled by this trip…It’s impossible to go to somewhere like Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, and NOT be humbled. I am expecting extreme beatings on my pride. Especially since I’m going down with a mentality of helping others; when in reality I don’t even know the first thing about what it means to really love another human being. I know that I’m going to be receiving more than I ever expected to give. I’ve got to be honest, when I think about all this, my ego gets apprehensive about going. Am I ready for it? We’ll find out...

See you in a week!