1. There are a lot of people out there with numerous, varying and differing opinions on how to follow Jesus (including this very blog ;)
2. Opinions are all well and good but actions speak louder than words
I have found myself growing angry about morality debates among Christians and how ridiculous we must appear to those looking in on our “loving” community demanding that WE have the right interpretation of what Jesus meant when He said… or what it means when the Bible says…
I admit, I have been engaged in some of this unnecessary, unedifying and unproductive debating. It causes me to become angry and bitter and I realize then that is exactly where the enemy wants me to be. We can hold onto our staunch beliefs about clothing and lifestyle and impose it toward others claiming if they were “true” followers of Jesus they would or would not do, say, or wear certain things. I too can sit in my personal ideologies and force others to think the way I do or force Jesus into my Westernized culture to fit His words into what makes sense to me now. But I have come to realize that forcing an idea or pushing any morality agenda doesn’t seem to be very effective. I find when my blood is boiling and anger is stirring within me, my desire to “be heard” and to “be right” overrides the actual basis of the reason for my faith: LOVE.
Because this: " If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
While I remain uncertain on a few things, this I KNOW. God is Love. And I have been commanded to love Him and love others as well as I love myself.
I have learned that my discontent as of late has not really been with God but with false pretenses or presumptions I have BELIEVED about God. The stripping away of those while strange, and often times painful is actually becoming very freeing.
So then there’s this: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
This verse is the mission verse behind my friend Leslie’s orphanages in Uganda and Ethiopia. Having endured the horrific and tragic loss of her daughter Marissa, my friend Leslie, along with her husband Ken and son Gabriel took it on themselves to build 2 orphanages in her daughter's name.
While I know Leslie wishes she could turn back time and get Marissa back, she bravely faces every day determined to love God and love others the best she can, and pours her life into providing for the beautiful children in these establishments.
So when Leslie told me casually in our last conversation about her recent trip to Uganda, that she was unable to stay at the orphanage because there was no running water, I naturally asked, “How much would it cost to put in a well?”
$10,000
To change the way of life for 23 children and at least 4 of the workers that live with them.
Now there’s a new fire burning in me. And a holy anger motivating (not guilting) me to pursue this pure and faultless religion. To walk away from debating morality and start diving into meeting needs around the world in LOVE. I’m tired of my inaction. Weary of fighting worthless battles that at the end of the day will not point anyone to the loving arms of Jesus. I’m ready to live a life of love. And not just talk about it.
These beautiful children.
Created by God. Made in His image. Worthy of clean water.
The kind I drink everyday without a second thought as I hop online to view the next opinion out there on how I need to be living.
Check out this website. Marissa's House
And if you are as motivated as I am to be LOVE instead of just talk about it, consider donating or at the very least sharing this campaign with any and every one you know.
And be encouraged by what has been graciously encouraging me:" For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
God sees your heart. That’s all that matters. Not even MY opinion :)
Will you join me on a mission to change the living conditions for these beautiful children?
