Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A question of faith.

Disclaimer: These are just things I needed to vent/get off of my chest tonight. My heart has been very heavy with convictions to verbalize what I believe. I totally don't mind if you skip over this post. And I know not everyone will agree with me. This post is also all over the place. I apologize in advance.

God has been challenging me lately. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. It gets tiresome, but I know that my faith will come out stronger because of all of this. All of the people who doubt me, who claim that I don't know what I'm talking about... they only fuel my fire. I know what I'm doing. I know what I'm saying.
The words that come out of my mouth are thought out before I say them (or in this case, type). I carefully consider how I choose to present myself. I don't want to be written off as a stupid girl, pretentious and uppity. And the very last thing I would ever want someone to think of me is unfaithful to my beliefs.

Lately, it seems that my faith has been called into question. And it hurts. I've never wanted (nor have I given) anyone to have a reason to think that I don't believe the teachings of God.
But I feel that this is God pushing me harder to achieve my goals. To follow through with my plans of being a leader in a church someday (and it seems that the church will have to be in somewhere other than Missouri). God has called me to do great things. He's called me to lead. He's given me a platform on which I can relate to other women so easily. I've been through so much and it is God's promise to me that it was not for nothing.
I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A personal relationship. It's mine, not yours. It's not yours to question or to tout that I am not a believer of what the Bible says. I have read the Bible. I believe every word of it.

I also believe in the separation of church and state.
I believe that a woman has the right to choose.
I believe that Jesus would befriend the homosexual before He would ever befriend the devout Christian who looks down on someone for their sexual orientation.
I believe that women are equal to men, and that the only person a women should ever have to answer to is Jesus Christ.
*you may have my parents to thank for these beliefs that have been instilled in me (thanks mom and dad!). but over the past few years, I've grown to realize that these are important factors in my belief in God. these things have made me love Jesus even more. 

I believe in a lot of things that "normal" Christians don't. And you know what? Who cares what the normal Christians think?
Because I know my relationship with God is a solid one. That my hope and my future lies within His promises. Not the promises of a church, nor the promises of a politician.
I hope that I am never considered a "normal Christian." When you become normal, you become complacent in your faith, with no room to grow. We all need to be radical Christians. Not just in the way we view the world, social issues, etc. but in how we speak to others. How we respond to those who think differently.
You may think differently than I, but I will never question your faith. I guarantee it.
This generation of believers are radical and they are on fire for God and I am so proud to be part of this movement of believers.

8 comments:

  1. I think it's awesome that you voiced your opinions. You are exactly right. No one has a reason to be concerned with another person's relationship with God, and just because you have your own set of beliefs it doesn't automatically make you wrong, or not a true Christian. I think that everyone should be more willing to open up their minds to new things and not be stuck in the traditional religious viewpoints. Thanks for the reminder :)

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    1. Thanks for reading! Too often people think that if you're a Christian, you're against the gays and you're against abortion (among other not so popular controversies). I don't want to offend anyone, but I certainly don't want to just step back and not voice my opinions. :)

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  2. I don't think anybody gets to declare what "normal" Christian even means. If you love God you love God. If you love God in a different way than somebody else, then so be it. That is part of the joy of having an individual relationship with Jesus Christ. I agree with those views, too.

    Amanda Rose
    http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com

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    1. Exactly... no two relationships are exactly alike! Thanks for reading Amanda!

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  3. Christ Loved. Most important. I do think it is important to keep God's commandments, and to align your life and choices with what has been outlined in His word, we are to be a light and an example. We can't be that light if we aren't showing people love, though. Who listens to people who speak out of hate? Condemnation has no place in a Christian's attitude. We have no right through Christ to condemn anyone for anything. We are all sinners. Hate is not Godly. However, we should love people enough to not encourage them if they are making decisions contrary to the word of God. Love isn't keeping silent, but it's definitely not hate and condemnation. It's a very fine line we have to walk as Christians. To be in the world but not of the world. I have lost myself many times in this. I spent a great portion of the last 3 years away from God because I messed this up. The ultimate is to get people to a place where they see God as He is. Love. A lot of people see Him as hate though, because Christians do to others what Christ doesn't do to us. Romans 8:1 says
    "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Yet, a lot of "Christians" condemn. 1 John 1:9 says
    "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Yet, a lot of Christians harbor a lot of unforgiveness toward others. Luke 18:9-14 shows how the tendency of a Christian is to puff themselves up on what they DO and Congratulate themselves that they don't sin like others (which they do, but they can't see the plank in their own eye)... This verse also tells of a humbling coming to those who think that way. I say ALL of this to say, Love is the most important, and more than an argument or words of condemnation, LOVE has the power to change a heart. I like that you don't want to be a "normal" Christian... I want to be a Christ Follower. I want to love like he loves and live how he wants me to live. Hope this all made sense. ha. I tend to go all over the place.

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    1. Thank you, Amy! Not enough followers of Christ show His love. I want people to know that I lived a life of love, and I want people to know that I care about them know matter the circumstance or situation in life, because that is exactly what God does for us.

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  4. Thank you so much for this post. It's funny that though this post was therapeutic for you, it's still something that others need to hear. I'm also very thankful that I'm not the only one that loves Jesus that has "abnormal" views on some things. You're a breath of fresh air, dear Haley!

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    1. Thanks so much, lady! I appreciate folks like you! This was extremely therapeutic, even though it came from a situation I probably shouldn't have been talking about! But God doesn't call for us to be silent. Thanks for reading!!

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