Sunday, October 30, 2011

taken name

{via pinterest
sometimes i struggle with my name.

not the one my parents gave me, nor the one that changed when i became a Mrs.

but the one i took when i became His. the name that has been stamped upon, sullied, and desecrated until i no longer am sure i want to bear that banner.

Christian

i don't like be associated with that name. i am not ashamed of Him. oh, please, God, never would i be ashamed to be known as His. 

but the name itself. 

i am a Christ-follower. i belong to Jesus Christ. 

but what once was a badge of honour, literally speaking little Christ to the darkness of the Roman empire and then to the world at large

has now become a mark of hate.

people with picket signs and waving Bibles in the faces of frightened girls as they walk up toward a building to end the life of their child. 

it has become the shield for people -- dark-hearted villains -- who stand at the funeral of a young gay military officer and scream 

god hates you
god hates gays
god hates America
god hates everyone

i always capitalize God. i did not do so above. why? 

because this god they speak of is not the One True God. this is not the God i love, worship, and serve with my whole life. and this book they read cannot be the Holy Word of God. 

these goats and blind guides will stand at His feet one day. His eyes will flood with tears as He looks away and speaks 

I never knew you

my God hates sin. He hates the darkness. 

but He loves people. He loves the ones trapped, even if they have no idea. 

we love Him because He first loved us

church, where have you gone? what have you done? 

to be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable
because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you
-c.s. lewis

i am His. make no mistake. 

there is a Hell. it takes a choice to step from Death to Life. 

but doors are closed to no one. no sin is so great that He cannot forgive.

Love is everlasting. 

so drop the picket signs covered in marker scrawl, reach out a hand, and drawn them in. speak to them Truth, but in the firmness of Love. 

hide no realities of death and Hell, but show the alternative....show them Life. 

show them Him. light a candle. 

little sparks can light great fires. 

{linking with Michelle today}

13 comments:

  1. this was so beautiful, i got goosebumps and favorited it.

    if more people could see this, maybe gays and atheists and americans and even some christians could see the light. it's strange that we need to give light to those who think they're already spreading it, huh?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have that same thought SO, SO many times! Thanks for sharing... and yes. I got goosebumps from this post :).

    Moe

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has thought this. This post speaks so much truth.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really appreciate and agree with the sentiment of this. However, I do think it unfortunate that society today is so critical of Christians, and even something like "dropping the picket sign" and "reach out a hand", "speak the truth in love" will still meet with angry accusations of bigotry. Not that we should stop trying... but I wouldn't expect a beautiful ending to this beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Natalie: i will always expect a beautiful ending. why? because we have been promised one. for the ones that judge and accuse, there will be the ones who are changed. that is worth it all. that makes this ending so beautiful. standing in Heaven, knowing that we have people that are joining us here BECAUSE we showed love when others screamed hate...hearing that Voice speak, "well done, good and faithful one..."...is that not beautiful enough?

    ReplyDelete
  6. love love love this. i love your heart. and i love how your heart speaks directly to my heart. and i love how God speaks through you. it's beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. God has truly blessed you with an amazing gift. Your words speak to me {and clearly so many others} on such an amazing level. Rachel said it best, "I love your heart. and I love how your heart speaks directly to my heart." Blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I learned of your blog through the Hear It, Use It community and wanted to thank you for this thoughtful prose. Your writing style is thoughtful and peaceful -- perfect for an early-morning devotional.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for this beautiful post. It is really true and very unfortunate. So many people acting in the name of Christianity are actually pushing people away from Christ. We must speak with God's love and truth to be real Christians. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  10. gorgeous - just plain gorgeous. thanks so much. here from Michelle's weekly round-up and i just might stay a while...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for this beautiful post. Really isn't much more to say that that. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sometimes the 'church' brings more harm than good to the name of Christ. We need to constantly be evaluating our affect on those around us.

    ReplyDelete

I look at you and see all the ways a soul can bruise, and I wish I could sink my hands into your flesh and light lanterns along your spine so you know there's nothing but light when I see you. :: Shinji Moon