“When you get to Heaven, God isn’t going to say “Why weren’t you more like Rick Warren or John MacArthur or anyone else?”
God is likely to say “Why weren’t you more like you?”
– Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Church
Close your eyes for a second and try to imagine the perfect christian. What do they look like? What do they do? What do people say about them?
For me, I always imagined the sweet old ladies at church who bake all the things and hug all the necks. They’re kind and gentle and never a bad word is said about them.
I think in the back of my mind that’s the picture that I’ve always strived for.
Not an old lady obviously. But quiet and kind and gentle and no one ever says anything bad about you because why would they if you’re doing all the right things?
I thought if I did all the “right” things and became the “perfect” Christian, everything would fall into place. Obviously if I’m doing what I’m supposed to do my life will do what it’s supposed to do because that’s how it’s supposed to be. Obviously.
Lol at me thinking that.
Honestly, all that has gotten me is exhaustion and frustration.
And the Lord, of course as crazy awesome as he is, just told me “you weren’t made for that. I didn’t come to earth and die for you to shove yourself in a box that you were never meant to fit in. I came so you could have life and have it abundantly.”
So here we are. Figuring out what life looks like without a box to fit in. What a weird thing.
Just a reminder this week that you were made to be you and no one else.
The Christmas songs may say meek and mild, but those probably wouldn’t be the first words I would use to describe Jesus. Remember when homeboy flipped those tables? Remember when John the Baptist called some people a “brood of vipers”? Remember when Paul told the church in Galatia that he wished their agitators would “go and emasculate themselves”?
Oof.
Loving people well is always what we want to do as Christians, and sometimes that looks like being meek and mild and compassionate, but speaking bold words of truth is also of the kingdom and it’s desperately needed. Even if that isn’t initially your idea of “the perfect Christian”.
So here’s to living our best life in our individual identities in the kingdom. We all play a part and no one can play yours but you— do it boldly and do it freely. We need you!
**side note: y’all remember that “free” key necklace I got before the race? Wow at God for bringing me into ALL the freedom. He’s the best. That’s all.
