I started this so that I could share my adventures and lessons while focusing on me and the things that I want in my life. So I think it’s about time that I shared the biggest piece to the puzzle.
I did not grow up in a church; it was just something our family didn’t do. Both of my parents were raised going to church and following all sorts of rules, but when it came to my faith life, it was left up to me to decide. I feel that it was the greatest thing they ever could have done for me (not me as a child, but me specifically, meaning-yes, things will be different with my children). I was given the opportunity to learn and develop my own ideas about the world and about God.
I started going to church my junior year of high school because a friend invited me and I just happened to have a giant crush on him, so of course I went. It makes me laugh because God sure knew exactly how to get my attentionJ. During my junior and senior year, I learned a lot about Jesus and faith and salvation and the impact it can have on a life. I went to a church that said exactly what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it. It was the perfect way to draw me in.
Then I left for college, and there was little growth in my faith life. I didn’t do anything crazy or lose touch with my faith; I just stayed in the same place for a while.
During the second semester of my sophomore year of college, my roommate finally convinced me to go with her to the United Methodist Campus Ministry service on a Thursday night. I sang for special music, enjoyed the rest of the evening, and then went on with my life. That night felt way more important to me than it should have, but at the time, I had no idea why. The next semester, the girl that usually sang needed to focus on school and I was asked to help with music.
It’s been an amazing experience. It’s relaxed and casual, nothing too exciting by most standards, but I love it. I get to sing and I get to worship, it doesn’t get much better than that for me. Plus, the people are fantastic. It’s the neatest, silliest, most awkward group of people that I have ever been around and it’s awesome & getting to worship with them every week is a privilege I will never take for granted.
I will readily admit- In terms of religious knowledge, I know I could be considered naïve; I have not studied it the way most people do, because for me it is not about a specific religion or rules, but about faith in Christ and His plan for me as an individual. I am not looking to educate anyone else, only to set a good example and live a good life in the eyes of God, because that’s the opinion that matters.
Over the last 6 years, I have learned about my faith in a variety of ways. I do read my Bible from time to time, but probably not as often as I should. I honestly feel that I have learned more about God and the love of Christ through the people around me than I would by reading my Bible every single day. I have been extremely lucky in that regard because I have been surrounded by some of the greatest Christians possible & I would defend that statement until the day that I die. The people that have been my greatest influence have been filled with love and grace and compassion, they have been accepting, talented, driven. They have been Catholic, Methodist, non denominational, some have had even less exposure to church and religion than myself. They have been straight, gay, college students, and seminary students. They aren’t perfect by any standards, they are real people who hurt and get frustrated and still manage to set great examples.
Isn’t that the point? I know I haven’t read it cover to cover, but I can’t imagine it saying anywhere in the Bible that those who know the most, or those who have made the least mistakes, or those who have always followed the right rules are the best Christians. In fact, I think it says quite the opposite. I know we are supposed to live by the commandments and all sorts of other standards, and I will never argue that those things aren’t just as important, but I can’t help but believe there is much more to it than that.
Last semester I read “Love Wins” by Rob Bell. I have always thought I had a good idea of what Christianity was really all about, but it was so refreshing and encouraging to read an entire book that supported all the things going on in my head. The title itself says it all. LOVE wins. Not knowledge, not obedience, not judgment. The love of Christ is the bottom line. You get a lot farther in life when you love and accept others the way that Christ will always love and accept. Not that any one of us could ever contain that much love, but we can definitely give it all we’ve got. I know that there are a million ways to look at religion and faith and God, but it has to start somewhere. First, you have to have faith in something bigger than this world. Second, you have to know how to love and how to be loved. Only then will anything get done, will anything be learned, will anything matter.
Almost a year ago, I made the decision to be baptized. No one told me to, no one recommended that I do, it was because it was what I wanted to do. It was what I needed for myself. Now, I strive to set a good example for others. I have good days and bad days. I still get frustrated when I shouldn’t, I say things that I shouldn’t, I’m not as patient as I should be, but I’m learning. I recognize when I do something I shouldn’t, and I think about it and do better the next time. I have learned that grace is the most beautiful concept, and I am forever grateful for it. What good would it do to believe there is no hope for the hurting or those who have made mistakes? That’s the silliest thing I have ever heard.
I could go on for hours, but I guess my point is this:
I love Jesus. I would not survive each day without the love and grace of my Savior. Faith is a powerful thing that I am so grateful to have found. And I truly believe that if everyone took out a little bit of hate and judgment from their heart and put in that much love, this world would be a much more beautiful place. You can be a great Christian and make mistakes every single day, not that it’s encouraged, but hope is never lost when it comes to redemption. The very purpose of Christ coming to this world was to bring another chance, another opportunity to get it right. Love God, acknowledge Christ and His love, and love each other- start there and things will change fast. My ideals are not the most popular, and even some of my best friends will completely disagree, but I’ve got to be sort of right if they think I’m totally wrong & still manage to be my best friends…right?
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