This new year is clicking by at a fast pace. How has your year gone so far? What has been on your mind? I have shared alot of thoughts and I am always curious about what others think and feel.
I came home from work to news of the conflict in Iran/Iraq, continued fires in Australia, earthquakes in Peurto Rico, politic theater and well that was just the first 15 minutes of the news. Does all of this make any of you anxious? It does me. It makes my anxiety amp up and cause more inner dialogue with myself to calm down. We are living in a time like no other. Since I was little I have heard Jesus is coming soon. Well I think that may be more true now than ever before.
So before you get your knickers in a knot that I am going all religious on you and how dare I? Well how about how dare you? We each are entitled to our own beliefs and paths and thoughts. However, I am not ashamed of Jesus or the gospel. Will I listen to your thoughts and feelings about religion? You bet I will. Will I expect the same from you? You bet I will. That is what is amazing about respect and communication. It is a two way street. This is an art that seems to be lost on today’s people. You are allowed and opinion and by the freedom granted in this country, you have the freedom and right to express said opinions. Be it politics, religion, clothing styles, etc. BUT, there is a difference of respectful communication and thoughtful consideration than this free for all we seem to be experiencing now.
What would Jesus think of this? What would He advise? Well we do have a manual to refer to. We have a holy spirit that guides us. I think He would be saddened, I think He would say there is a government that wants to control instead of govern. I think He would be saddened by how we treat our fellow man and how we care for each other. Now listen, I in no way am speaking for Jesus. I am not all that. I know I let Him down everyday. I know that I am a flawed and sinful woman who is saved by grace. I am not perfect and the amazing thing is He knows that and He still loves me. When I can’t love myself, when I feel unworthy of love and life, He loved me so much He gave His life for me. I may be silly, and yes times inappropriate in thought and word, enjoy a good glass of wine or a cold beer–the shock! I am human. But I still love Jesus. Do I get ashamed that I should do more and be more, yep I do. The thing is I try everyday and I am blessed with each new day because of Him.
So how about you? What is your faith? What do you rely on? I honestly think we need that hope to rely on. We need to know that there is a purpose for our lives and that there is more to this life than this decaying world. He is my hope and strength. One of my favorite verses is Phillipians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. We can pick and choose scriptures that speaks to us but we can’t pick and choose the wanted meaning of those scriptures. We live in a fallen world, once saved we strive to leave that old self behind. Do we slip and fall? We do. Do we try to get back up? We do.
There is a religion with Jesus and a relationship with Jesus. I am far from perfect believe me. I feel unworthy and not prepared to share the gospel like so many of my family and friends can do. I am not ashamed of it, I just feel my spiritual journey is mine and it is a bumpy road. Come to think of it, Jesus hung out with those of us on a bumpy road. I think the other thing that is a hindrance is the fear of judgement. Judgement for not being a good and perfect Christian. Judgement for backsliding, judgement for not loving Jesus. There is alot of judgement, be it self or others. We became a very critical world, we have become a very complicated world.
Our world is in peril and we are living in turbulent times. And yes, there have been times like these before. So many wars and natural disasters and rumors of wars, all happened before 2020. However, this feels different. We are tearing each other apart in our own country. We have a division in our land. People that are in power have let that power over take them. They don’t lead with the people in mind, they lead where their mind leads them. We have people who are homeless. Some by choice and some by circumstance. Drugs are consuming people and lives, splitting families and killing people. Relationships are under attack and commitment is to the way side. Everyone is looking for the next better person, people are disposable and feelings are superficial. Boy does that sound like a negative Nancy statement? It isn’t meant to be. It unfortunately is our reality.
So how do you find your center and moment of peace? Do you have to be perfect to love Jesus, well that answer is a definite NO! Do you need to be perfect in general, NO! God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that so whoever believes in Him will not perish and have everlasting life. This world is turbulent, this world isn’t our only destination. My thoughts are we try the best to love one another–Do unto others as you would have done to you. Seek His face and guidance and will (I will admit there are times I want to be the pilot of my life instead of Jesus being the pilot). Count our blessings and stop lamenting that we don’t have everything we want.
I don’t have all the answers and navigating this crazy world can be disheartening and overwhelming. We need that hope for tomorrow, we need to lift each other up instead of tear each other down. And before you start judging my stance on my sourse of hooe, judge yourself first. This is a part of my life. People may say I am not a good example of christianity or that I talk and post about things that are scandalous or I had a past or I have green eyes. You see, I judge myself enough and not afraid of you or your judgement. I may write about love, sex, relationships, families, thoughts, hopes and dreams. That is all part of who I am. I love Jesus and well I am just me.
This entry in my blog isn’t meant to inflame anyone, cause a rukus or offend. It is mainly to stop and say that during times of tribulations and trials, where do you put your hope in? Yourself, God, the universe? My hope is in Him and my hope is that you would ask Him to be the pilot of your life. We are living in times like no other and hope can be a small commodity. So in moments of darkness, moments of despair, moments of anxiety, there is always hope!!
