More and more lately I have been thinking about what it means to know that God, in all in lovingness, has decided that I, Debbie, a girl as ordinary as can be, will be someone lucky enough to, at this time, be called to follow him and love him and experience the transformations of my heart by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Although often times I struggle with (and most likely will always) arrays of roller coaster emotions, brokenness and pain caused by the imperfections of myself and those around me, times like this is always a humbling reminder of the faulty nature of humanity. If someone loved the Lord and was righteous, and you admire them for it, it is ultimately the works of the Holy Spirit that has made the person so, and the glory be to God, not the person. Because you can never rely on a person 100%, maybe 99.9%, but God and his unchangingness is the only sure thing in life. He is more definite and unchanging than 1+1=2 and F=ma (sorry as an engineer I like using math examples!). It is by God's grace that we have been blessed to know him, and to have developed the desires in our hearts to continue to find out more about him. You see? We in God's eyes are not any move loved than let's say, a non-believer. We've simply been chosen as those who are to know him now.
To me, the fact that he has chosen me voices a call. A call to serve him whole heartedly. A call that sounds something like "Yup you're the one I want to get the job done, that's why I picked you out of all your friends. I gave you a voice to sing, a heart full of passion and compassion, a demeanor to be welcoming and drawing to others. I want you to go out and use these gifts to do my work." Honestly, it's a bit scary...but exciting at the same time!
In talking to a friend tonight, I asked him if he thought he was made to become what he was (his occupation). He replied and said that he thought he had been blessed with gifts that he were to use in 'good presence' on the earth. That whatever he was to choose, he wanted to make a difference in the world, to make it a better place, because he felt it was our responsibility to give back. I was impressed by what he said, because his words were genuine and didn't sound as if they were being said because the society has stated that "we should help other people (because it makes us feel better about ourselves)". I realized how self centered I had been in thinking that the love of Christ can only work in and through those who know him. Since God made all humanity in his image, there's a piece of him in each and every person on earth - dormant or awakened. Just because someone is "godly" doesn't mean they are a better person than someone who doesn't know God yet. We as Christians are not one single bit better or more loved by God than those who live secularly. God, being the perfect parent as he is, would not love a child more because he/she was more obedient. He doesn't play favourites or record everybody's rights and wrongs in a giant computer in heaven. He will come to judge one day, but before that, everybody . I guess what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't work on our spritutality with an image that we are climbing higher and higher towards God, but rather that we are putting together a large puzzle with millions of pieces together of which when completed would reveal the full mystery of God. Of course, many people (even saintly ones) I suspect, don't finish the puzzle in their life times. These puzzles will be finished when Jesus comes again to reveal himself fully to the human race.
So how does Christianity fit into the lives of these good do-ers who aren't Christians? I'd like to know. I want to find out more about Christianity, about Jesus, I want to take a magnifying glass and study Christianity (ok maybe not literally!). By doing so, I can understand more, and by understanding more, I can more effectively spread the gospel of Christ to the secular world, and to include and incorporate Jesus in all aspects of my life - church and outside of the church.
Ah my love for music. A beautiful can reach into the deepest corners of my heart, causing it to swirl and swell and dance :o) A friend of mine sent me a song that he had recorded - a lullaby that he had played for a baby. Listening to it is the perfect way to end the night - just listening to it over and over and over... Another piece written by the same conductor is the theme of the movie Cinema Paradiso, which is one of my favourite movies (about love, ahh love..!). I think the love of God and his beauty can be found anywhere, and through anyone. All things wonderful come from him, whether or not he is always acknowledged. I don't think he cares either, but rather just delights in his creation :o) Yup, he's pretty chill like that!
To me, the fact that he has chosen me voices a call. A call to serve him whole heartedly. A call that sounds something like "Yup you're the one I want to get the job done, that's why I picked you out of all your friends. I gave you a voice to sing, a heart full of passion and compassion, a demeanor to be welcoming and drawing to others. I want you to go out and use these gifts to do my work." Honestly, it's a bit scary...but exciting at the same time!
In talking to a friend tonight, I asked him if he thought he was made to become what he was (his occupation). He replied and said that he thought he had been blessed with gifts that he were to use in 'good presence' on the earth. That whatever he was to choose, he wanted to make a difference in the world, to make it a better place, because he felt it was our responsibility to give back. I was impressed by what he said, because his words were genuine and didn't sound as if they were being said because the society has stated that "we should help other people (because it makes us feel better about ourselves)". I realized how self centered I had been in thinking that the love of Christ can only work in and through those who know him. Since God made all humanity in his image, there's a piece of him in each and every person on earth - dormant or awakened. Just because someone is "godly" doesn't mean they are a better person than someone who doesn't know God yet. We as Christians are not one single bit better or more loved by God than those who live secularly. God, being the perfect parent as he is, would not love a child more because he/she was more obedient. He doesn't play favourites or record everybody's rights and wrongs in a giant computer in heaven. He will come to judge one day, but before that, everybody . I guess what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't work on our spritutality with an image that we are climbing higher and higher towards God, but rather that we are putting together a large puzzle with millions of pieces together of which when completed would reveal the full mystery of God. Of course, many people (even saintly ones) I suspect, don't finish the puzzle in their life times. These puzzles will be finished when Jesus comes again to reveal himself fully to the human race.
So how does Christianity fit into the lives of these good do-ers who aren't Christians? I'd like to know. I want to find out more about Christianity, about Jesus, I want to take a magnifying glass and study Christianity (ok maybe not literally!). By doing so, I can understand more, and by understanding more, I can more effectively spread the gospel of Christ to the secular world, and to include and incorporate Jesus in all aspects of my life - church and outside of the church.
Ah my love for music. A beautiful can reach into the deepest corners of my heart, causing it to swirl and swell and dance :o) A friend of mine sent me a song that he had recorded - a lullaby that he had played for a baby. Listening to it is the perfect way to end the night - just listening to it over and over and over... Another piece written by the same conductor is the theme of the movie Cinema Paradiso, which is one of my favourite movies (about love, ahh love..!). I think the love of God and his beauty can be found anywhere, and through anyone. All things wonderful come from him, whether or not he is always acknowledged. I don't think he cares either, but rather just delights in his creation :o) Yup, he's pretty chill like that!
1 comment:
Hey Debbie!
I like your reflection! It's GREAT!!!
littleflower
Post a Comment