It's Friday!!!! AND...
I was just thinking...
about last summer...I was attending a Women of Faith conference in Wash. D.C. with my mom, sitting through the last session, listening as each woman bestowed her final words of wisdom upon us. Now, if you've ever been to one of these weekends, or have ever even heard of them-the first few things that come to your mind probably fall along these lines; energy, empowerment, tears, encouragement, laughter, more tears, "awwwwww", more tears, more laughing, bursts of applause, (happy claps, sad claps, "great job" claps", etc.) pink, hearts, pink, and optimism.
Now...I love all of that-because that's women...in a random, emotional, pink nutshell. However, I was suprised to hear a refreshingly honest word from Luci Swindoll. She approached the stage solemnly, armed to warn us concerning the let-downs of life. She offered, "Ladies, life...is profoundly disappointing...live for the 'ah ha' moments...for they make life worthwhile."
Now, what is an 'ah ha' moment exactly? More than a phrase, it's a gasp- it's wishing your eyes could open just a little bit wider to fully take in all that stands before you. It's feeling that for a moment everything is right and peaceful and just. It's a feeling, moment, situation, dream, opportunity, etc. that you would capture in a bottle if you could- for fear that things couldn't possibly get any better.
I learned today...I think maybe more than on any other day...that life can be so bitterly and profoundly disappointing. And, as much as I swore I wouldn't put my faith in people or myself for that matter, I still somehow manage to get tripped up on the mere humanity of...people. I struggle when I see families, supposedly rooted in Christ, falling apart at the seams and every time I feel like I have a little less faith in love and trust and..people. I praise God for that...putting more hope and strength in people than God will always lead to disappointment. I struggle when I feel like there's no way I could ever possibly make everyone happy. I praise God for that...accepting the disappointments of humanity should almost be the foundation for a true, authentic relationship with Christ.
If we're all doing this thing together-that is, trying to live lives modeled after Jesus...from the angle that we are worthless, stained, dishonest, and calloused but for the grace of God-I believe we would be a lot less discouraged by our failures and the unmet expectations of others...and all the more ready to rejoice in eachother's "ah ha" moments. I am learning more and more every day that we're all struggling, we're all angry about one thing or another, we all feel inadequate . Yet, even though we can recognize these traits in ourselves, we're almost suprised when someone else is transparent enough to let us see those traits in them. Does the church really REALLY desire authentic Christianity? I would venture to say that not only do we lack a desire for it so many times, but more often than not we're scared to death of it. We're scared to death that anyone might be as confused as us or struggle over the same issues , and if we can't look to others for spiritual stability, well then...the whole thing will just fall apart...right?
Why is it so hard to accept that at the core of who we are-as mere humans, we are all desperate?Considering the fact that not one of us is God, we have to stop fearing the things in ourselves and others that display inconsistency with the life of Christ-and be on our knees crying out to God-bearing burdens for eachother and again, rejoicing in times when we see glimpses of God's glory displayed in eachother's lives. Let's not waste anymore time putting ourselves on platforms of self-righteousness when we know, that despite loving the Lord, we still falter. How can we then turn and doubt the love of Christ in others as soon as things begin to get a little messy and dare I say...uncomfortable?
Psalm 15:1-3.."O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up reproach against his friend..."
Emc
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1 comment:
Once again I think you nailed it. We don't truly desire Authenticity. Well, we desire it but not to the extent that we have to be authentic ourselves. We would rather go to church and give our fake smiles and hugs and glad to see yous and how ya doins, before we would say "actually im hurting, im struggling, i need help, I don't know if I believe in God anymore, please help me."
When you think about it, how would the average church attender or even the average deacon in the church respond to such authenticity? Most, I would think would immediately usher them off to the Pastor for counseling as if their is something really wrong with them when in reality they just need some encouragement and prayer and someone to say they have been there or are there too.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
nuff said dog.
"accepting the disappointments of humanity should almost be the foundation for a true, authentic relationship with Christ."
I think im gonna just keep a record of my favorite quotes from you...this would be one of them.
Its so true. When we realize that we are nothing, that we cant do crap on our own and that nobody else can is anything and cant do crap either...and also that they cant do crap for you on their own...thats when we will be ready for God's grace. We will be ready to accept grace for ourselves and give grace to others. God uses the moments we take our eyes off Him and put them on ourselves and others to humble us.
Grace is always backed by humility.
Thanks for sharing your heart, I always walk away enlightened.
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