Rebel Christianity

This is a rant. *Caution... it might get ugly, and if you like Polo, don't get offended.

The rebels of Christianity are those kids that skip your prayer meeting to go to the party Billy's throwing downtown. I like them. I think I am becoming one of them. When did becoming a Christian mean completely alienating yourself from the world? This has been coming up a lot in my world lately. As Christians, we beleive that everyone, ahem EVERYONE is made in the image of God, not just your Polo-wearing pals.

I read this passage today and it really struck a chord:

Matthew 11:19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."

In the context, Jesus had just finished doing all these miracles, healing the blind and lame, but the only things people were talking about was the fact that he was drinking, and hanging out with people outside of the church. We, as beleivers are called to be in the world. Yes, our citizenship may be in heaven, but our ministry is here.

For the record, I think prayer meetings are wonderful. I think reading your bible and learning everything humanly possible about loving and living like Jesus did is a great thing. But I also think we are called to party with people outside the church. When I say party, I mean spread joy and laughter. ( Without that correction, someone probably would have sent me hate mail.)Seriously, though..

I went to this bible study and this girl said she didn't want prostitutes sitting next to her in church. I about reached across the room and slapped her in the face. I kept my mouth shut for alot of the bible study, but I couldn't let it go any further. I looked right at her and said "My perfect church would be filled with prostitutes and theives and liars. What a blessing would it be for us to worship together." It's crazy that somehow when you become a Christian, it is now your job to patrol and tell people exactly what they are doing wrong when they are outside of the church. When you judge a person, you have no opportunity to love them. Have we not all fallen short? I know I have. But by the grace, ONLY by the grace are we saved.

I didn't mean for this to come across as an accusation.

I just want you to know, if you have ever been the "judged," I am sorry. I love you. And Jesus sometimes looks nothing like His followers. It is a shame. I do know that there are some others out there that are striving to be more like Him, and I hope you run into one of them someday. And if you don't -I hope you encounter Jesus on a completely supernatural way. :)

Humility

It's official. I stink at keeping up with this, but at least I warned you. Someone (Ruth) has been on my case about updating this on my current situation, and this one is simply for her. ;)

I think humility is the biggest word that describes my so-called reality at this moment. The non-profit that I worked with in Portland cut funding and decided to close down the girl's house. I have made such good friendships with my residents and staff, and the news was heartbreaking. Maybe you have never been to Portland, but that place seriously captured my heart. I have never come across so many homeless youth in my entire life. They are funny and kind, they like the same movies I do, they are beautiful, but they simply-for whatever reason- do not have a place to lay their heads. Some shelters are available, some homes ( most have rigorous rules that the kids do not agree to) but definitely not enough. I want to make sure and say this is not a rant against the program that I was working with. They have a plan they are working towards implementing for these girls and there is no doubt in my mind that it will be successful. Still, I guess I'm just bitter because I want to offer these people something. Something of myself, some kindness, hospitality, and love. I get frustrated because it seems like when I get close, something happens and I get removed from the situation. This is where the humility kicks in. I have no idea what the Lord's plan is for me and I have to humble myself to His will.

It's not that easy, though. Directly after getting frustrated, everything in me gets angry at... "the man"- for supporting child labor, my parents for getting divorced, my residents parents for never caring, the pimp that encourages prostitution, the coffee maker for working too slowly...just everything. Then I normally do something stupid. I wish I didn't... But wishes are meant for fairytales, and this is reality. And this is me completely ignoring His will. This is me feeling sorry and not counting my blessings. This is me pissed off and hurt for these women with no where to go on a cold rainy night in February.

God has made me a woman that won't stand by and watch the suffering . This is me.

Each day I wake up, look out my window...in Atlanta... I have my regrets even just in being here 2 weeks. I've made a fool of myself. I have been selfish. I have been knocked to my knees, but I am getting back up. Humbly, I know that anything good in me is Him. I also have my hope that God will rescue those hurting, hungry, and heartbroken. And because our society is pretending they are not there... I will be their voice. This is me, and I am each one of them.
I don't want to sit here and write all these vague ideas, so this is my plan. I will clothe my brothers and sisters on the streets. I will offer friendship. I will seek them out. If they are hungry, I will feed as many as I can. I will let them know they are beautiful, loved and wonderfully made.

Ruth- I love you so stinking much. and this may have been a little "heavier" blog but I hope you enjoy. Definitely more to come, I'll write about my social life when I get one. haha.