To be or not to be a Christian?

A message for Christians

For those of you who attend church you know that when you are rededicating yourself to God or join a new church you have to make that long journey down to the front of the church.  That walk is your first right of passage into the Christian faith. Now after you attend your new membership classes and get your membership number you feel unstoppable. Then something happens. You are driving down the interstate and someone almost runs into you and your middle finger goes up. Maybe you engage in some entertaining conversation with a friend or coworker that turns into gossip and eventually you are giving a hearty laugh at someone else’s misfortune.  You could also have every finger and leg crossed and somehow just like at a baby shower you slip up and someone catches you off guard. What I’m saying is once the Holy Roller mist dissipates and you’re in a position that is contradictory to your belief system all of a sudden you are saying to yourself ,” To be or not to be…. a Christian?“.  

 Now sometimes the reason why we are asking that question to ourselves is because of fear, lack of trust, or sheer human nature.  I thought about this driving into work. It came from me worrying about a issue that I was thinking about and then a calm feeling came over me and said, “If you are a Christian and you trust God then he will provide for you.”  Trusting and believing in God is the hardest part of living a Christian lifestyle. I say this because if we really trusted and believed that God is going to take care of his and wants the best for us then some of us wouldn’t walk around with a scowl. I guess that is why Joel Olsteen is so happy. If you really believed that trouble doesn’t last always or that you will be blessed with a job, better finances, a child, a husband/wife then you wouldn’t get caught up in contradictory behavior. Christians believe and have faith.  It reminds me of the story when Jesus was on a boat during a bad storm and became disappointed with his disciples who were terrified. I mean the disciples knew Jesus and witnessed his miracles and still lacked faith so I know its really really hard for us. Jesus wants you to be strong and have faith in order to smile during a storm. That is what "real" Christians do.

The person that leaves the church grounds and once they pull off the parking lot starts drinking and cursing is in the same boat with the Christian who cries many nights over dreams that they feel haven’t manifested. Next time when you are about to get into a grouchy mood because things just aren’t working out, remind yourself that you are indeed a Christian. If you do all that you can do in a situation, then God has your best interests and will bless you according to his plan. 

Smile

~Chi