Waiting

Life passes by while we wait for "What If" and "As Soon As".
-Linda Anderson

I have dreams. I have goals. I have things I want to accomplish. But right now, I feel like I've got too much going on to actually pursue them, let alone reach them. Many people are right there too.

Waiting for the right time, the right circumstances, the right opportunity.

But sometimes, it doesn't come. And while we are waiting, life goes on. Granted, there are often times that we NEED to wait and we are called to wait. But many times, waiting can become an excuse to be lazy and stationary because we don't want to make the effort to do what it takes to move forward.

Where are you...moving or waiting? And if you are waiting, is it God-ordained or self-imposed?

What If We Loved?

I've been wrestling with some thoughts in my head. In recent years, "Christian" has increasingly been used alongside terms such as "hate", "condemning", and "judgmental". As with the Pharisees in the Bible, many Christians are quick to point out the faults and shortcomings of others while neglecting their own. I can speak from experience. But what if we did things differently?

What if we just loved people?

Instead of condemning them for their 'sins'.

Instead of judging those who are different.

Instead of belittling those who don't agree with us.

Regardless of who they are: prostitute, religious, athiest, liberal, conservative, homosexual, straight, rich, poor... we ALL are sinners. We ALL have issues. Even Jesus Himself said let him without sin cast the first stone. (Read John 8)

Does this mean we should never call people out? Not at all. But there is a proper time, place, and way to do it.

Does this mean we should not stand up or speak out for what we believe? Absolutely not! As believers in Christ, we must stand firm in our faith, our beliefs, and in our message. What is this message?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
-John 3:16 (NIV)

But it doesn't stop there. If you keep reading into verse 17 it says this,
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. Our message is that God LOVES us so much, that He sent His only Son to die for us. That we are forgiven. That we can have hope. Has this message been lost somewhere? Has condemnation overshadowed mercy?

What if we stepped out of our boxes? If we got involved in the lives of others, instead of being merely talking (or screaming) heads? What if our message was seen and not just heard?