First, this is a concept that in itself, causes many debates and matters of opinion. So let me say this, there is no way I can completely define what it means to be a “Christian”. However, I can honestly say that this last month has been wonderful in helping me to identify exactly what that means for me, and what that could possibly mean for YOU.
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Back story:
Over the course of the last four weeks I have had many conversation through social media outlets about what it means to embark on a spiritual walk with God. Covering every situation on where to start, how to leave your mess behind, what it means “socially” to be a Christian, and how to rekindle a relationship with God that was lost as a result of the influences within, yes, a Church.
I have had conversations and encounters with two handfuls of individuals that have caused the wheels in my head to spin, so I thank you (you know who you are). I had a friend of mine, someone who knows me very well, send me spiraling down a path of personal self-undoing and anticipated failure, as well as a friend who I have not seen in over a year and a half say to me “I thought your Facebook got hacked, with all this God stuff recently”. HA! I laughed, a gut wrenching laugh- I don’t think she knew what to do in that moment. For those of you who know me, you know I have always carried with me existential intelligence and questioning, always. You would also know that for the most part, I am deeply connected with emotions and positivity. So when my friend who made the comment about my Facebook finally spent time with me, I think it was simply recognized that I was not some crazy Christian like she anticipated, there was just “something” different. That truth alone put a smile on my face.
So I started REALLY thinking to myself, what does all of this mean for the people surrounding me? How do I want to influence- the masses or the few? Why be our society so resistant to the idea of God, and faith, and religion? What has happened along the way since biblical times, and even before? What false beliefs, or ideas have caused man to have such a shock value when someone decides to establish a relationship with God? And beyond all that, what does all this mean for us?
(This is my mind at the most inconvenient times, ie 3AM insomnia)
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So here is a single part of a very complicated and controversial topic…
What does it mean to be a “Christian”?
Fact: at this present moment in time there are 41,000 recorded and accepted Christian Doctrines in our world. Oh. My. Goodness. Talk about sending someone down one of the most difficult explorations of their lives- patting them on the butt and saying “Good luck, may the force be with you”. Overwhelming? Intimidating? Nah. (heavy sarcasm added here).
Superficially, sociologist identify Christians by church attendance, overt professions of faith and deeds, etc. Thus, one is a Christian if one says so, by a sociologist definition. (BORING). And there here lies a lot of the struggle for many people. I have heard on account over the last month people say “I would rather choose to not be a Christian, than to claim to be a Christian and be a hypocrite”. Ouch. There we have it, the internal struggle as a result of external factors. This is not very helpful in making friends in our modern society when you “claim” to be a Christian and stuck to that label is the idea of a hypocrite. But that is exactly what it is, a label. Another means of identifying ourselves to something. Do I claim to be a Christian, absolutely? But I also understand that being a Christian does not entitle me to ANY betterment than someone who is not. In fact, I do not think at all. It is not my specialty in life, choosing who is and who is not worthy. I am not better than you, nor do I claim to be. I think that is an important place to start and for all of us to recognize.
Moving forward….
The external factors, yourself with the world, does not bring you to the core of faith, it does not define real religiousness. It is the inner relations, the self with soul; that is the place where the soulful connection with God resides. That is where you enter a proper relationship with God. God comes into the single individual and that is where He dwells, not somewhere “out there”. Having faith in God is not just about what doctrine you accept, and what right actions you perform, and the teachers you decide to learn from. Having faith is intellectual relation within yourself and God. Those two things should not be compartmentalized and separated but rather brought together and able to strengthen. Our object of faith is not just in doctrine, nor just in action, nor is it just in teacher. The question and truth about faith is a factual yes or no. Do you accept as fact that God exist? And I think most people would say yes, even with hesitancy. Those of us who have struggled with faith, and those of you who struggle with faith currently will still say to me, “I believe in a higher power”, or “I believe in a greater entity beyond myself, sure”. That statement is so powerful, and I don’t think we all recognize where that statement comes from. It comes from within the soul, God’s dwelling place. It is not about subject (God) vs. object (Us) this is about a factual belief that by accepting God, you are also acknowledging that God in actuality is the sense of our existence. That by accepting God, you are accepting that yes, this life does in fact have meaning and purpose, there is an end to the means. It is not always the journey that is beautiful, but rather the destination.
So for myself, and acknowledging God’s existence, and in turn acknowledging my own existence and purpose; I could never say “No no, you are much too happy to need this discourse, or my proclaimed faith- keep on keeping on”. The distinction for me as a Christian is simple, a fortunate and unfortunate dance, and therefore I believe we are all sufferers, but joyful in our suffering- this is what we strive for, to understand God’s intentions and purpose in our lives. This is what I want for YOU. That is what it means to be a Christian. It is not about our church attendance, or “checking in” on Facebook every Sunday, or the spiritual quotes that we pull from the Bible to share. It is about our relationship with God and believing in our existence, and in His. It is about having a soulful connection with something greater than ourselves- and it is wonderful. It is about failure and successes, confusion and answers, exploring history and gathering knowledge not just memorizing a verse, it is about the journey, the relationship.
I do not think that you should explore faith by means of identifying yourself to a doctrine, which will not sustain longevity. Instead explore what it means to love our God, and what it means to loved. Explore what it means to know God, and to be known. That is my best guidance for anyone right now, including my own, and ya’ll it is not easy, but I don’t think it is supposed to be, that would take away the end value.
Happy Saturday Ya’ll!
Always sending my love to you and yours,
Cindi
