So, how am I to be in the world, being a Christian young woman? Understanding that the reason I live is only by the pleasure of God in allowing me to breathe this day? Understanding that the purpose of that breath is to bring Him glory? How do I be a woman of God without becoming a Jesus-bot?
Not that there’s anything wrong with being obsessed with Jesus. I mean, as the bride waiting for her groom, it makes sense to be overwhelmed with thoughts of the Beloved. But the Jesus-bot is different. It’s a robotic version of love, or so it seems to me. Who knows? Maybe I’m wrong.
But . . .
I’ve read blogs and social networks that are geared towards Christians, and it’s wonderful that there exist places where Christians can come together and express themselves. Great. Fabulous. I may even go so far as to say, “awesome”. In fact, I just did. But the problem is that as I read through these posts, I see nothing of the specialised idiosyncrasies that make us each individual and gear us towards our own particular ministries. Am I being too picky?
I feel like I don’t get a sense of who these people are. People I read seven long paragraphs by on why women should or shouldn’t be preachers. People who talk about how difficult their relationship is between them and their significant other and all they say is “love is so hard,” and “then I realized” and “now everything is great!” I just want to cyber shake them and say, Who the swear word ARE you?!
Putting God above all others is good. Making God more important than yourself is good. But does that mean that we have to completely disregard ourselves? Or not disregard ourselves, but pretend our selves don’t exist. Sometimes it seems that in Christian communities, we get sterilyzed. Why is that? How can we relate to a world that is fallen if we can’t admit to being human? And how can we be authentic with the outside community if we can’t even be authentic within the fellowship of our Christian family?
I don’t mean to say that we admit our humanity by not trying consistently to improve and become more and more like Jesus. I don’t believe in that whole “all things are lawful” brand of young Christianity that allows the redeemed to be virutally indistinguishable from those who are still lost. But it seems to me as I read the gospels that Jesus himself was very expressive. Peter and Paul both had very distinct personalities and you can see them plainly as you read the books they penned. They were able to teach and spread the gospel without being blank. Can’t we try to do the same?
It’s challenging, because this is a world of moral relativity. We are encouraged to believe that anything goes, and our piety is all well and good so long as it doesn’t interfere with someone else’s views. So Christians, or, as the popular label in America has become, “fundamentalist Christians”, are expected to be uptight, pompous, and blank. Friendly enough, but masking an “intolerant spirit”. And if we are to show character, humanity, or expression? Then we are the “all things are lawful” Christians, and readily passed off as so without a chance to explain ourselves. Sigh… did we do this to ourselves? Or has culture done it to us? Perhaps both…
We are all prescious, multi-faceted gems in the eyes of the Lord. He created us that way. I imagine he had to. A being undefinable by anything other than His name would have to create us all unique in order to keep from being bored with us. (ha). I suppose we are to channel our species specific uniqueness toward glorifying God, and he delites in our creativity. Who cares what the world thinks. Romans speaks of how we are all uniquely gifted, and that we are to not refuse these talents, but use them in accordance with God to be more for God, Bring more to Him, and ultimatly being fullfilled ourselves in the process.
We can think of Soloman, who was greatly gifted with a thirsty mind. He soaked up all knowlege, all wisdom and all skill he came in contact with. He was a songwriter, a bookwriter, a scientist, he studied reptiles, botany, and all the countries of the world. They say he was wiser than all the astrologers and mystics of his time. The key is, God ‘gifted’ this mind to him. And people knew that. So, by giving the glory of his awesome mind, his talents, his skill to God, he led poeple to Him. If God can use us when we are nothing, he can certainly use us when the world thinks we are something.
You are right though. God doesn’t want a “jesus-bot” He wants sincere worship and allegance. Pure love and devotion. Anything less will be viewed as shallow and fairweather.
Let us not be so quick to judge, however. Not everyone who seems to be a Jesus-bot is to be viewed as insincere. Maybe their gifts lay elsewhere, rather than the ability to express a fervered dedication. God knows their hearts, and we should be glad that they are expressing a love for Him when there is so little of that going around.
Hey. I try talking to Jesus a lot but sometimes it feels like he is telling me something back but I am not sure. How can I be sure?
Sorry it has taken me a couple days to get back with you-I was out of town. I do appreciate your stopping by though . . . But enough about me! :)
I think whenever you feel like God is talking to you or leading you in certain direction, it’s probably a good idea to be concerned about whether or not what you’re perceiving is actually Divinely given. So great for you that you’ve even asked the question! When you feel him telling you something back, is it an audible thing? Or is it just a conviction in your heart that he is indicating you do something?
In either case, really, I think the way that you can be sure about what and if Jesus is talking to you is to test it. Reading Scripture is essential to discovering if what you’re hearing is in keeping with the nature of God. And of course since He never changes but is eternal and constant, whatever you are hearing better line up with who He had shown He is! And often talking through these things with strong Christians in your life can be advantageous as well. They sometimes are inspired to bring things up to you that God wants you to hear as well.
Well, I’m not sure that I’ve answered your question. In fact, I’m pretty sure I can’t answer your question at all because I’m not that bright-but luckily, I serve a God who is the King of Wisdom and sometimes He’ll slip me some answers across the aisle when I’m stuck on a tough problem. If you want to know the truth, I also called up a couple of my faithful friends and asked them to pray with me when your comment came in so I wouldn’t totally botch it up, and one of my friends was reminded of some pertinent scripture about testing spirits . . . the reference of which escapes me at this current moment. I’ll come back and tell you when I remember, though, because I’m pretty sure it’s probably the most important answer. :)