Caution! Danger Ahead

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My heart is so blessed and full today. This morning, in church, my son decided to get baptized, and my daughter was baptized three years ago on May 1st. As a parent, I have tried to protect the innocence of my children, but I quickly realized that they will be hurt and rejected. They will hear of and learn of the evils of this world. I have gotten to observe firsthand the growth they've experienced as life's hardships hit. At their ages, nineteen and twenty-two, they are much more spiritually mature than I was even into my thirties. I can't remember a time that I didn't believe there was a God. I had my doubts from time to time, though, as to whether the bible was completely true. I have questioned if God is really who the bible says he is; loving and good, but I have always believed there was something, someone greater than all of this. To hear their testimonies written out in their own words brought tears to my eyes. To know that I have been a part of that is humbling.

I struggle a lot with sharing my faith. It's not that I'm embarrassed to tell others about God, it's more that I'm cautious as to not offend anyone and turn them off from even the idea of God. There is so much false information about the character of God and what He expects of us. The world has the idea that Christians are judgy and intolerant. Some are, I'm not going to deny that. A Christian with the true heart of God, however, is genuinely concerned for your very soul. If there were thousands of cars driving on an unmarked road that led right off a cliff, I wouldn't stand by and watch as they flew off one by one. I would make signs, yell as loud as I could, wave my arms and jump up and down to try to get their attention to warn them that danger is up ahead and they need to turn back to avoid death. It's the same way with my belief that one needs to have a relationship with God in order to be saved from eternal agony. I am not trying to be pushy or "shove it in your face," but I truly believe that you need to turn your heart in a different direction in order to avoid (eternal) death. 

As a Christian, I choose to be separate from the world. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:12 (NIV) That just means that I don't participate in certain activities that the world sees as normal, acceptable and almost as rites of passage. I choose to live my life to a biblical standard. Am I still a sinner? Do I still react in the wrong way, think and say things that I shouldn't? Absolutely! Does that make me a hypocrite? No, it makes me a sinner who needs the salvation of my Savior. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 (NIV) Please do not form your opinion of God by my actions. At the end of my days, if I am wrong about all of this, what have I missed out on? In my opinion, nothing. I have lived a joyful, loved and content life. At the end of your days, if you are wrong about whether God exists or not, what have you missed out on? Maybe nothing here on earth. Maybe you can say the same thing, that your life was also joyful, content and loved but, if the complete bible is true, what will you miss out on in the afterlife? 

If you'd like to discuss the idea of God, please let me know and I would be happy to have that conversation. 

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