What’s This Christianity Thing About?

What would I say if someone asked  me that? It’s a big question. Really big.  I don’t know where to start!  “In the beginning…” ?   Not very personal… Would I endeavour to first prove that they’re a sinner and need Jesus? (creating a need, then offering the solution) A valid method, but… something’s not ‘me’ about that either.

As I think of ‘having an answer ready' for the faith I have, I have to agree with Craig Groeschel (author of Christian Atheist) who recommends sharing our own personal Jesus experience as our answer. 

I started to wonder ‘what IS my story?’  … what parts of it would I dare share? How would I put it into words?  So, I’ll share it here as an exercise in preparation.

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I don’t know what the whole “Christianity Thing” is about, but I know what Jesus has done in my life. By age 12, I felt completely rejected – by everyone. Terrified of people’s opinions and, most of all, their rejection, I withdrew. Bitterness grew and soon I seethed with hate. I hated people. I hated myself. I hated rules. I hated this empty, angry life. I thought of ending it, even held knife to skin …  but couldn’t do it. “Chicken”

I left home and moved far away to a city of strangers. I strutted and scowled. Nobody was going to mess with me. No one would ever get the chance. Drugs, booze, bar hopping … well, for a detailed list, just look at Galatians 5:19-21 – that was me. All of it.

“ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:

sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, 

quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,  envy,

drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.”

But even while I ran from him, consumed with hate and self-destructing, Jesus loved me. He pursued me. He protected me from so much. SO much.

Since I met Jesus, I’ve known a whole new world! (and it’s only getting better!) I’ve heard His voice guide me. He’s done miracles in my life, called me to specific tasks. He’s healed my body when no doctor could. He’s told me about my future and I got to watch it come true! He’s taught me, guided me and completely changed my heart. (only God can do that!!)  The Holy Spirit has spoken such life into my life! 

Nothing on this earth compares with Him!

I’ve had it all - money, a job with purpose (the ultimate in career success, isn't it?) and meaningful friendships – basically lacked for nothing and still ached for something. That something, that void we all try to fill with meaning – that’s the hole we were created with. Only one thing can fill it, but He fills it completely.

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Isn’t God awesome?! I’d love to hear your story. Include a page address in your comment – I’ll be sure to visit! I love hearing about God’s amazing work. I could listen to them forever. Actually, I DO get to listen to them forever! God is so good! 

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Keep Your Eye on the Call

I'm reposting this as a reminder to myself to acquire and maintain focus. What has God asked me to do? Countless opportunity and distraction offer to derail my efforts to follow what I think He's asked me to do... 


What pleases the Lord? What has he asked ME to do? Am I doing it? Where's my focus? This post reminds me when I start to get distracted ... 

“Send me!” I pleaded, eager to serve Jesus. “Whatever it is, please use me!” I imagined He might send me across the country, maybe into the mission field, maybe into business … surely somewhere exciting. I could hardly wait. 

Each time I asked, He would point me back to my kids. I continued to crane my neck, straining to see greener pastures on the other side of the fence. He continued to patiently point me back to my little ones. There is no denying it; I’m called to be a mother right now. No business, no real estate, but focused on my children. 
It is here in the mission field I’m confronted with my false beliefs and unrealistic expectations of what ministry looks like. Apparently I’ve believed that mission work is glamorous – meant for those who are mature in their walk with Christ, and that mission workers are showered daily in peace, joy, a deep sense of purpose, continuous success and general ease. This false picture I had, for some reason, also includes fanfare – the respect and admiration of many people who see and recognize my work. 

Ha! Get out of here, lies! If mine is any indication, the picture of mission work is quite different. While I do have the daily assurance of hope and peace, I’m also confronted with temptation, sin, my own resistance and the resistance of others. The enemy is ‘prowling, looking for someone to devour’, and is battling against me with powerful schemes and lies trying to defeat me and those in my care. Mission work is not the warm, fuzzy peaceful endeavor I thought it was. It is, instead, heart searching, mind blowing, vigorous spiritual work that requires my absolute dedication to Christ and His call. And, all of this while enduring persecution, judgment and invisibility. 

Nowhere in God’s word does it say we will have a life of ease. In fact, we’re promised the opposite. “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you” (John 15:20) If we’re in God’s will, following Christ’s leading, we will suffer and will have difficulties. This life of following Christ is hardly glamorous or easy. It is work. 

Thankfully, the One Wise God knows me and what I can handle. He knows my need to be humble and has wisely assigned me a place of giving and humble service. My God knows how to train me and will teach me what I need to know. Now to the work of trusting His plan, obeying, and holding strong to my purpose in Him. When I focus on Jesus and His call for my life, the selfish dreams and ambitions I once had begin to fade. Trouble, persecution and difficulty also seem unimportant when I’m looking only at Jesus. It’s true that “all things that surround become shadows in the light of (Jesus)” I just need to keep my eye on the call.

Helpful Verses:

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so my ways are higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:9

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.

He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour”

1 Peter 5:8

“Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’

Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.” John 15:20

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