New Life

Today at church, there was a funeral.  This happens about once a month here, with our older congregation, but this was the first death where I actually knew the woman who died.  I ran the soundboard for the service, and sat alone in the booth, singing the hymns and praising God with the others.  As I listened to the sermon about the life of a woman I had not said more than hi to, and learned a lot.  Not about her as much as I did about life.

Last night in my prayer group, I gained some new insight and even greater peace on a situation that tends to roll around in my brain all too often.  But in hearing the insight of two women I respect and value, I felt set free.  They were so right and I was blessed to receive the message they offered.  It was an answer of "why" that I thought I would just have to live without.  So much peace followed.  It was a bittersweet realization though, because it means that I am not as confused as I thought, but others are still thinking like I used to.

Religion verses Relationship is the way I view it.  The kid who knows all the Bible stories and can play praise songs on guitar looks pretty special, like a "good Christian."  But that shows nothing about the state of the heart.  I have had too many friends from school who were always ready with the Sunday School answer, but were stuck on rules and tradition, fail to have a heart change when life gets tough and crumble in the weight of unknown circumstances.  I have seen the lives of those who I used to look up to, destroyed because of an unyielding spirit.  People fail us, and it grieves me deeply and can be well camouflaged.  See, we look at the evidence we see, with a person's actions, but Christ looks at the heart.  I am talking about a life following Jesus, verses a life following religious leaders.  Look at Jesus and the Pharisees.  They taught law, tradition and justice.  Jesus taught truth, forgiveness, mercy and love.

I only have this one life to live, and I sure do plan to live it well.  I am learning how important it is to extend grace and keep my mouth shut.  Love will always win, even if it is not evident in this life.  I believe more and more that my actions alone are how people will (or will not) see Christ.  With my lips I alone have to power to bless or curse.  The choice is mine.  This is taking a lot of training to control my tongue (and even more to control my thoughts), but I am so thankful for what Christ has pulled me out of, and where he is leading me still.  I am living so much more of a fuller life these days.  Not much about my life has really changed, but the way I view the world has dramatically changed me, and that has changed everything!  I do believe that God is about to do something amazing in me.  I'll be sure to share as he moves!