I need to ask myself this question because there’s a definition of the word today that is foreign to my ears. It has to do with power and dominance and
self-righteousness and intolerance and judgment, to name just a few of its characteristics. My faith has no attachment to those words. In fact, my identity as Christian calls me to the opposite of those things- to humility,
compassion, acceptance, service and respect for the dignity of all people.
Oh, it’s not that I claim to do or be all of those things. I notice the pull to the other definition in my own life - to judge, blame, disregard, be prideful… But, it is my identity as a Christian that calls me away from those to the way of God, exemplified in Jesus, that is about Love and compassion and regard for everyone. It’s about welcoming the foreigner and including the marginalized. It cares for the poor and seeks justice for the oppressed. It extends mercy and grace to oneself and to others.
This is why I need to explain, even to myself, why I continue to identify with a word/group/faith that to my ears has twisted its definition to mean something very different than that to which I espouse.
How can it be so different?
I can’t answer that. But, I can and do answer the question of why I call myself a Christian.
I follow the One who came to give not get, serve not demand, set free not dominate, accept not judge and forgive not retaliate.
I’m just not sure what to call that other definition of the word.
I have no idea what I even consider myself to be at this point? Truly, I was so hurt by the lack of love for our fellow neighbors seen in my own church that I can no longer claim Christianity. The only thing I have never been able to shake is Jesus! Just Jesus and his teachings. His gospel was actually simple. Love, empathy, caring, seeking justice for all people. God and I have a rocky relationship, but I never stopped loving Jesus. I guess that makes me a follower of Jesus. Can I just say that when asked without using the, now tarnished Christian word?
LAWD HAVE MERCY! This is GOOD you always know when we need a GOOD word. Like Candice Benbow said 🗣️SARAH MF’IN BESSEY! 😂😂. This is such a beautiful read. Thank you Sarah.
Oh my! Did I need that today! You preach it! Amen! I actually think of myself as a follower of the Way of Jesus, because of the greed and corruption of the worl that infiltrated Christianity at various times since the beginning. But Jesus chose the ones who weren't perfect to be his crew. So that shows me, I 'm acceptable and I must walk in his steps and see the possibilities in others the best I can.
I always marvel at the encouragement and tears your posts bring in just the nick of time. Blessings and joy in the midst of the privilege of being transformed into the image of the Son, Sister🥰
Once again, you blow me away with your understanding,clarity,complexity and compassion. I struggle with belief,and I feel the Spirit speaking through you. Thank you
There are so many of us out here, and we are not alone, but I will also say there is something specific that hits when you say The Thing. A way that gets through my cynicism and helplessness and despair to believing again.
Whew! Another Field Notes for my Encouragement Book and prayers to pray on the hard days! I defy anyone to read this without crying... or is that just me! Thank you so much for the validation and identification and just "seeing me" in these words.
Why Do I remain a Christian?
I need to ask myself this question because there’s a definition of the word today that is foreign to my ears. It has to do with power and dominance and
self-righteousness and intolerance and judgment, to name just a few of its characteristics. My faith has no attachment to those words. In fact, my identity as Christian calls me to the opposite of those things- to humility,
compassion, acceptance, service and respect for the dignity of all people.
Oh, it’s not that I claim to do or be all of those things. I notice the pull to the other definition in my own life - to judge, blame, disregard, be prideful… But, it is my identity as a Christian that calls me away from those to the way of God, exemplified in Jesus, that is about Love and compassion and regard for everyone. It’s about welcoming the foreigner and including the marginalized. It cares for the poor and seeks justice for the oppressed. It extends mercy and grace to oneself and to others.
This is why I need to explain, even to myself, why I continue to identify with a word/group/faith that to my ears has twisted its definition to mean something very different than that to which I espouse.
How can it be so different?
I can’t answer that. But, I can and do answer the question of why I call myself a Christian.
I follow the One who came to give not get, serve not demand, set free not dominate, accept not judge and forgive not retaliate.
I’m just not sure what to call that other definition of the word.
◦
ONE 👏🏻 MORE👏🏻 TIME👏🏻 FOR👏🏻 THE👏🏻 PEOPLE👏🏻 IN 👏🏻 THE 👏🏻 BACK 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
This is so lovely and heartfelt and encouraging to me, still calling myself a Christian. Beautifully said.
"May your discernment remain sharp as your heart remains soft"--wow did I need to hear that today. Thank you.
Right now I’m going with ‘Mystical Christian Universalist’ which I obviously made up, but feels about as close as I can get.
I have no idea what I even consider myself to be at this point? Truly, I was so hurt by the lack of love for our fellow neighbors seen in my own church that I can no longer claim Christianity. The only thing I have never been able to shake is Jesus! Just Jesus and his teachings. His gospel was actually simple. Love, empathy, caring, seeking justice for all people. God and I have a rocky relationship, but I never stopped loving Jesus. I guess that makes me a follower of Jesus. Can I just say that when asked without using the, now tarnished Christian word?
LAWD HAVE MERCY! This is GOOD you always know when we need a GOOD word. Like Candice Benbow said 🗣️SARAH MF’IN BESSEY! 😂😂. This is such a beautiful read. Thank you Sarah.
The kind of comment I will memorize and say to myself in times of self-doubt! haha thank you!
Welp, printing this off to hang on my wall. Thank you.
❤️🙏🏼❤️
Oh my! Did I need that today! You preach it! Amen! I actually think of myself as a follower of the Way of Jesus, because of the greed and corruption of the worl that infiltrated Christianity at various times since the beginning. But Jesus chose the ones who weren't perfect to be his crew. So that shows me, I 'm acceptable and I must walk in his steps and see the possibilities in others the best I can.
I always marvel at the encouragement and tears your posts bring in just the nick of time. Blessings and joy in the midst of the privilege of being transformed into the image of the Son, Sister🥰
Blessed are the disillusioned, the disoriented, the disgusted,
for yours is a holy discontent.
Yours is the ache that calls for reformation.
Yours is the grief that proves your love.
Yours is the longing that keeps you near to our God
even when the institution makes you want to run.
Been reading my journal again Sarah? Yeah, I thought so.
Thank you for all this. Going and doing likewise.
Once again, you blow me away with your understanding,clarity,complexity and compassion. I struggle with belief,and I feel the Spirit speaking through you. Thank you
YES PREACH!!!!
There are so many of us out here, and we are not alone, but I will also say there is something specific that hits when you say The Thing. A way that gets through my cynicism and helplessness and despair to believing again.
❤️❤️
Whew! Another Field Notes for my Encouragement Book and prayers to pray on the hard days! I defy anyone to read this without crying... or is that just me! Thank you so much for the validation and identification and just "seeing me" in these words.
Wow, that benediction was balm to my soul. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that I’m not alone. Thank you.
Amen. Thank you :)
Thank you ♥️🙏🏻