Why Our First-World Religion Isn't Working

Here is an accurate summation of why many people are keeping their distance from church, and Christians. I found it online in a forum, with many other comments scarily similar to this one. Read it, and let it sting. It should hit us hard.

"Christians, they love to talk about how loving, dutiful and compassionate they are, yet I have yet to meet ONE who does not practice hypocrisy to the highest degree.  Their willful ignorance of the Bible combined with their two faced idealism to preach it, has made us sick, hasn’t it?  For nearly two thousand years Biblicists have been lecturing people on the importance of adhering to the Bible’s teachings on ethics, manners, and morality.  They quote Jesus and Paul profusely, with a liberal sprinkling of Old Testament moralism.  The problem with their approach lies not only in an oft- noted failure to practice what they preach, but an equally pronounced tendency to ignore what the Bible itself, preaches.  Christians practice what can only be described as “selective morality”.  What they like, they cling to and shove down other’s throats; what they don’t like, they ignore vehemently.  That which is palatable and acceptable is supposedly applicable to all; while that which is obnoxious, inconvenient, or self-denying is only applicable to those addressed 2,000 years ago.  Their hypocrisy is so rampant that even the validity of calling oneself “Christian” is in question. I see so many people enjoy quoting the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and some of Paul’s sermons, but don’t even PRETEND to heed other, equally valid, maxims."

Ouch. How did that feel? Are you angry? Are you thinking of a rebuttal? Are you ready to argue this person until they beg for mercy? Did you grab your Bible to fire verses at the author? Then STOP and get a grip! Here is the reason strangers are hesitant to come to youth group, and why trying to witness in the streets does not always call crowds like the ones that swarmed Jesus. This is the reason! It doesn't matter if it's true about you or not. The fact is, this is how our religion is perceived. THIS is the attitude that we must be aware of! This is a lesson. This is proof that we need to be careful of how we act, because the world is watching! If you are quick to boast that your are a Christian, making sure the world can see your badges and symbols and hear your 'Christianese,' then read on.

It's a little scary how quick we are to slap "Christian" symbols and sayings where everyone can see. For those of us who are passionate about spreading the Word of God, we make sure that all of our good deeds are trademarked with the name of our church, a Bible reference, or a promise to 'pray for you.' We are like salespeople, making sure that everything we do is not only noticed, but works as a lure for the lost. We are workers of a huge advertising campaign, trying to sell church to the world, trying to auction off verses and quotes. We give and donate saying, "Oh, you like what you see? Come to our church on Sunday to learn more!" "Oh, you appreciate what I've done for you? Just call 1-800-JOHN316 to find out more!"

We think that if people don't know we are Christians, our good works will be wasted. Therefore, we make sure we always have the Fish symbol glued to our bumpers so that people will notice our polite driving and be drawn to our religion. We make sure we wear t-shirts from camp that advertise how FUN being a follower of Jesus is, thinking that when others see the references and crosses adorning our bodies, they will be converted on the spot. We want to put in a good name for ourselves, our religion, and our churches. We see an unbeliever as a challenge; as a customer that needs to be persuaded to join our club.

News Flash: The world doesn't work that way. People don't like it when they are thought of as a project. People don't want to be your guinea pigs. They don't want to be an experiment. They're more than an audience. They don't want to just be your 'mission,' and rightly so. People want to be people.

Isn't it interesting how often Jesus told people to keep His identity a secret?  In the 9th chapter of Matthew, when Jesus healed two blind men he said to them, "See that no one knows about this." When Jesus raised a girl from the dead, he "strictly charged [the parents] that no one should know." (Mark 5:43) In Mark 7, as soon as Jesus healed a man of deafness, it says in verse 36: "Jesus commanded the crowd not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it." Perhaps the craziest order of all is in Matthew 16 when Jesus ordered his disciples not to tell anybody that He was the Messiah.

So often we act like our position is more important than our purpose. We act like the church is a club, instead of a hospital. We want to put in a 'good name' for what we do, and focus more on the persuading than the actual loving. Don't get me wrong- it is a good thing to be passionate about serving Christ. It is a good thing to be in love with following Him. But true love for Christ is shown best through self-denial. We were not put here to put on a show. Our Great Commission is to love the world, not coax them into signing a deal.

We are forgetting that for us, as members of Christ's church, are not meant to be glorified. It's not our time! Our reward is coming. A reward beyond our wildest imaginations. But not now. Not in this life. We are called to be content with a life of service, and to strive to become the least. To God be the glory.

Matthew 6:1~

Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do- blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Not only that, but the majority of us as believers are forgetting what real religion is. We're turning it into a business. We have this illusion that people of the world are drawn to our short-term missions trips and group work days at homeless shelters. It's true, they are probably thankful for our moment of service. But just as we go home and get on with our lives, so do they. We imagine that people can be convinced at a moment's notice- that all they need to see is a Christian doing good deeds, and they will be convinced that it is a life they want to live.

We are so self-absorbed, we forget that every person has a different story. They've all had different upbringings, they've been taught different things. They have convictions. They have beliefs. They've come to certain understandings about certain things, and no doubt they have had to reckon with religion. They've been through things we haven't. They are individuals with individual thoughts and individual minds. Why are we stupid enough to forget that? Who are we to jump into their lives and expect them to believe what we say if we don't live what we say?

We go out to work projects or to different charities, excited for people to see us. But don't forget- throughout history, many people have painted a bad name for religion. The crusades. The Holocaust. The Westboro Baptist Church. There are so many wars, genocides, assaults, discrimination and segregation... and so often they have been in the name of religion. Don't forget that. 

Most people have heard, all their lives, that religions is a list of do's and don'ts. They understand it to be a condemning group of people there to point out flaws. They see it as judgment and scorn. So when we come up to them with Bible in hand and a cross around our neck, eager to witness to them until they change their mind... our ministries will be futile. If we come to these individuals with a single goal in mind: conversion, and are determined to drown them in verses and slogans and songs, we are bound to be discouraged.

James 1:27~

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for 

orphans and widows in their distress, and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Christianity has a reputation to get back. When it was founded by Christ Himself, it was pure action. Being a Christian meant being constantly on the move, constantly working, constantly being hunted, constantly being hated. It was CONSTANT action... but it was constant love. The majority of the world is of the idea that Christians are judgmental, biased, angry, hateful hypocrites. And right outside your door is a mission field! Let every move you make, every word you speak, and every thought you think be what represents Christ as a pleasant aroma. Let your actions speak for themselves. Let your life be a true and good representation of Christianity. Let your genuine love for people be what draws them in. Respect them. Honour them. Put them first. Care for them. Be the example of Jesus that they may never otherwise get to meet. 

Show them why the people of the New Testament were so drawn to Jesus, even though He didn't tell them who He was at first. They were drawn to what He did. They were amazed by His teachings, and His compassion. His love for them came first, and that's why they followed Him. Sorry to break it to you, but people are honestly not drawn to signs and words as much as they are drawn to pure love.

When you wear your W.W.J.D. merchandise and put on that display... are you truly concerned for the souls of the people that will see you? Do the things you say glorify you, or do you seek to meet the people you encounter where they are? Are you more concerned with the saving of souls, or the recognition of your good deeds?

1 Corinthians 16:14~

Let all that you do be done in love.

We have a lot of work to do- there's a lot of damage that has been done in the past. So let's build our reputation by actually doing something, rather than trying to convince people that we're 'okay.' If you don't walk the walk, it's probably better to stop talking the talk! Let's stop debating. Let's stop arguing. Let's stop trying to tell people how wrong they are in thinking we are hypocrites... because by simply telling them, we are affirming what they think! Instead, let's PROVE where we stand. In Love. In God. In Humble Service. 

Let's stop proclaiming the name of our church and organization, and start proclaiming the name of Love. Because God. Is. Love.

Let's stop giving people a reason to call us hypocrites. Live your life in such a way that if anyone tried to criticize your faith, they'd be speechless.

The Shoebox

What has been the highlight of 2015 for you so far?

A friend of mine asked me that question just the other day- and I was immediately taken aback. One eyebrow raised, I took a glance at the date in the corner of my screen thinking, "2015 is only two weeks old! How do you expect me to have a highlight yet?"

I leaned back in my chair, heaved an exasperated sigh, and figured out how I was going to respond. Do I let him know that his question faulty? That it is hardly possible to answer at the moment- seeing as I haven't had time nor a chance to experience a highlight? Or do I laugh it off and scramble to think of something? I went with the latter... but it was harder than I thought.

I began to feel a little awkward, realizing that even though it had been but 2 weeks since this year began, I was already forgetting the events of those days. It was a blur in my mind. The only memories that came to mind immediately was some formulas I had studied for my Chemistry final, my notes for my social essay, and basically all the things that I had crammed into my head because of worry. The things I had fretted about most recently were the memories I had kept- and I had instinctively discarded the memories of actual interactions with people, and actual experiences!

I've decided it's time I started looking for lessons and blessings in each day's events- the good, the bad, the ugly, the boring, the beautiful, the big, the small. These valuable tidbits of understanding, these moments of weakness, these conversations with strangers... these are the things I don't want to brush off. I could study facts, formulas, and definitions for days, and not learn anything. I don't want my mind to be filled with this knowledge that stresses me out more than it helps me grow. Rather, throughout this year, I want to be reminded of the things I've learned. I don't want to find myself entering 2016 trying to find one highlight from this year... I want to find the highlight and lowlight of every day! I want to experience and remember, so that I can be constantly taking steps forward, growing in grace and understanding.

James 4:14~
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time
and then vanishes.

This is the verse that has inspired me to begin a little project. It won't have a title. It's not all that exciting. It won't take up time- but it will make up for times gone by. And it's already off to a great start.

I've heard people tell me they can't remember being 12, 19, 27, 34, etc. I've heard people tell me there are some years that they feel like they skipped altogether. SO. With that in mind, I have transformed an old dance shoebox into a collection of memories. I sat down with some paper and wrote down every moment that caught my attention from these past few weeks. I was writing for over an hour. The little words I remember people saying, the things I said and regretted, the things I laughed at, the things that made me roll my eyes. I wrote down a couple things that hurt, some things that made me cringe, made me sigh, or made me sad. I wrote some of my favourite memories from 2014- but realized that so much of it is already fading fast. 

This will be my box of blessings and lessons. And I'm keeping it. I might open it up at the end of this year- or I might open it up when I graduate. I might open it when I get married, or I might open it up next month. It will be a time capsule of the little details of the story that is my life. I want to write down the big things and the little things, so that when I open it again, it will be full of things that once seemed so insignificant and random, but later on meant so much more. I want to be able to open it and laugh, cry, call up a friend and say, "Remember that time when...?" I want to be able to open it up and be reminded of people I haven't talked to in forever. I want to open it up and be struck with the desire to pray for the people I've lost contact with. I want to open it up and see how God has pulled me through my mistakes.

I'm hoping this little makeshift project will encourage me to search for those moments, and I intend to remember more of them. I pray that I will start to develop a skill for noticing things like this- things that I participate in, or things that I witness from across the street. I believe that God walks with us wherever we go, as we are His children... and He sees everything around us, as well. He is omnipresent and omniscient- He knows everything that is going on; the things we see, and the things we don't. I wonder how much of the things that He sees would teach us something valuable, if only we had the eyes and ears to notice.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13~ These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

I find it so interesting how each of the four Gospels have different flavours. The way the authors and the people they wrote on behalf of remembered the life of Jesus- they are the same stories, but different parts are highlighted. Those were the moments that stood out in their minds. Those certain words that Jesus said, the discrete things He did- these writers noticed different parts of the same story, and wrote according to the parts that spoke to them. Altogether, their words create evidence for our Single Hope. Just like them, I want to write down the things that I notice- the little things that Jesus does that catch my attention.

Mark 4:24~ Then [Jesus] added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given- and then you will receive even more."

So here's to the highlights and lowlights that we all will surely experience today, tomorrow, next month, and next year. Here's to the safeguarding and treasuring of the moments that God gives us the privilege of experiencing. Here's to the gift of memory- and the chance to use it wisely for learning, growing, and understanding.

Maybe you could join me! Someday, I'll read every single one of those tiny scraps of paper and see how my story has unfolded in a mere shoebox. The moments in your day that bless your socks off and the ones that aggravate you to tears... maybe don't just write them off. Write them down!

Time to Deliver.

There was a fellow who had two sons. It was a Saturday afternoon- all 3 men had slept in late. There had been a quiet snowfall during the night, leaving their neighborhood covered in a blanket of icy cold flakes. The elder son is quietly working on his homework in his room, hoping to finish it quickly so that he could have the rest of his weekend free. The other boy, not all that much younger, is lounging in his beanbag chair in front of the TV, intently playing his video game.

The Dad, realizing he had overslept, scrambles around the house in a mad rush to get ready for his meeting in just half an hour. After spilling coffee on every square inch of the kitchen, putting his shirt on inside-out, and forgetting his tie, he is finally out the door running toward his car, when he slips and falls *SMACK* - right on his back. He moans as he gets up and looks about him. Snow. He's about to tip toe to his car and leave the hazardous sidewalk behind, when he notices that his portion of the sidewalk is the only un-shoveled portion of pavement on his whole street. With a groan of frustration, he tramps back into his house through the ankle-deep frostiness.

"Jimmy!!" he shouts as soon as he walks back in the door. He's not surprised to hear his son's "What?!" coming from just around the corner in the family room. When Jimmy wasn't eating or sleeping, he was in front of that TV playing his games. "Jimmy, I have to run to work or I'll be late- but the walkway needs to be shoveled. Would you be able to do that for me?" Without pausing the game, Jimmy performs an exaggerated sigh and eye roll would impres any drama student. "But Daaad, I did it last! You always make me do it- why don't you ask Brayden? He's older and stronger anyways. Plus, I think I'm coming down with a cold. *Cough, cough*" 

Wanting to be fair, and also not wanting to waste any more time, the Dad runs to the foot of the stairs leading to the other boy's room. "Braaayden!!" he shouts up to his eldest- knowing his voice has to overcome the music blasting through his son's headphones. After shouting again, he succeeds in receiving a hoarse "Yeeeeahh???" from his most diligent son. "I have to go to work- Jimmy says it's your turn to shovel the walkway. Could you have that done before I get back?" Much to his delight, Brayden answers with, "Okay- I'll do it after I finish this project!" 

A couple hours tick by, and the father pulls back up to his house to find his walkway perfectly clear of all snow- a job well done. As he gathers his books and papers together, he can't help but feel honored to have such a responsible son who is such a good example to his younger brother. As he steps in the door and goes to greet his sons, he tosses a casual, "By the way, thanks for doing such a great job of shoveling, Brayden." But to his surprise, he watches his eldest son's eyes go wide, and his face start to colour. "Oh. Sorry about that Dad, I completely forgot! I was so focused on my project- it took longer than I expected."

Confused, the Dad look slowly over to his younger son, standing awkwardly in the corner. "Jimmy? Did you shovel the walk?" Jimmy nods, feeling awkward because of how he had refused his father earlier. "You told me you wouldn't do it earlier. What changed your mind?" Jimmy looks at the ground in embarrassment before thoughtfully replying with, "...because you're my Dad, and you asked me to."

This story is actually a parable, straight from the mouth of Jesus. This is simply my attempt at translating the short story into a modern scenario that might give you a clearer picture of what's going on. It is found in Matthew 21:28-32. Jesus told this short snippet of a skit amidst a cluster of other parables, all of the same nature; they were all about the end times. The Parable of the Great Feast, the Evil Farmers, and even a direct foretelling of the future. It seems like a simple fable, but the true meaning is much more compelling than a simple piece of advice.

The Father is coming back. Tonight, tomorrow, next week, next year, next century- nobody knows. And because nobody knows, a lot of us are losing track of time. We're busying ourselves with our 'homework,' even after promising to take care of the important jobs that our Father has assigned to us. He's told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). He's commanded that we preach the Gospel to the unbelievers (Matthew 28:16-20). He has taught us by example to give up our lives and live as a slave (Matthew 20:27).

And what have we done about those commands? When He comes back, I suppose we could argue our case by showing him the binder full of songs we've written and sung about loving people. Maybe He'd be pleased with the number of verses we've highlighted in our Bibles. Or- hey! What about this blog I've written? That oughta count for something, right?

God has commanded us to be the workers in His field- the workers that are supposed to be bringing in the Harvest. But we've done better! We've made clubs and Bible studies and talked about doing that for hours! We downloaded all the songs that talk about being unashamed, and we only listen to them! (Through our headphones so we don't bother anyone else, of course.) Oh, and we also read a few good books and articles about missionaries overseas and their awesome stories. And what about that one time we mentioned a Bible verse in our English essay?

So when God comes back and looks at what we've done about His commands, boy will we have a lot to show Him! "God, we sung about your commands, we talked about them with each other, we listened to them, we read them, we even memorized them- word for word and the reference! We posted a few statuses quoting them, we put them on our walls, we wrote some references on our family's Christmas cards, and we even subscribed to the "Verse-a-Day" app on our phones!"

And what will God say to that? What will He say to those of us who act like Brayden? Standing in church every Sunday and singing "I will rise when He calls my name," and "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine," and then trudging through the rest of the week worrying only for our own interests does not get the job done. Talking and debating, discussing and arguing for hours just to prove a point, and then ending the conversation there is not the kind of relationship that Jesus intended for us to have with people- it doesn't accomplish anything!

And because so many of us are so incredibly preoccupied with worldly goals and shallow ambitions- are we prepared for our Father to return? Or will we be put to shame because we forgot to shovel the sidewalk?

Matthew 24:42-46~

"So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know the day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, 'My master won't be back for a while, and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

There was a part of me that hesitated as I wrote that, because of how harsh it sounded. But those are the words of Christ! And of everything in the Bible- His words are the words we should be savouring. He is God! Those verses cause me to really take a step back and reflect... are there any jobs that I am procrastinating on? If Jesus came back tonight, are there jobs that I have left unfinished, in my pursuit of my self-created dreams?

All I know is this: the talents that I have do not belong to me. They are a loan. A loan that, if not used properly, will stand as evidence against me someday. They were given to me from the real Owner to be multiplied for His purpose. I do believe that God is using me with my writing. But at the same time, anyone can write. It just takes a brain and some time. It's an entirely different thing to do the things that are written. I certainly don't want to be like the Pharisees. Just take a look at what Jesus said about them:

Matthew 23:2-5~

"The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters  of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they preach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.

In short, let's think about what we are saying when we promise to follow Christ. Can you imagine if when Jesus called the disciples to follow Him, they shouted "Coming!" and then remained where they were- repairing nets or collecting taxes? It's absurd! Are we lying to ourselves and to God by singing and talking about following Him even unto death, and then neglecting to care for the people around us? Say what you mean. Mean what you say. You are on the Mission Field!

Luke 6:46~

"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?"

We don't know when our Dad is coming back. So if you say you're going to shovel the sidewalk- you'd better get at 'er!

Starting From the Bottom...

I really should have written this yesterday- it would have been exceedingly more dramatic. Seeing as it is the 2nd of January, I feel like it will be slightly anticlimactic... but as it is the first post of 2015, and my 75th post ever, I will imagine that it is the most exciting thing ever.

I write this with trepidation in my mind and a bit of worry in my heart, but I'm also buzzing with anticipation. This is the year that I have honestly no clue what to expect. At all. Like, not even a little bit.

This is the year that will surprise me every day. I feel like I'm running towards it blindly, and maybe that's a good thing. But I also realized that it is my last year of childhood. Age is just a number, yes, but new responsibilities are not just imaginary. I am going to have to learn to take care of myself. I'm going to have to mature faster than ever, and learn how to be independent. This year holds many troubles and stresses, I have no doubt about that. But it also will bring grace, mercy, friendship, and compassion from many different people. I know it will.

Last night as I was finishing off my 17th birthday with devotions, I freaked out. I suddenly realized I wasn't ready to grow up. I wasn't ready to move out or live on my own or be in charge of myself. I wasn't ready to say good-bye to my family- I need them still. I felt so unprepared. I felt like I was strapped onto a conveyor belt hurtling towards independence faster than I could comprehend. I felt so much anxiety and stress, all I could do was lie on my floor and hyperventilate.

And as I lay there, curled up like a baby, blinking rapidly and trying hard to figure everything out- figure a way out- a song by Tenth Avenue North started playing on my iTunes.

Hallelujah,

we are free to struggle.

We're not struggling to be free.

Your blood brought and makes us children.

Children, drop your chains and sing!

God is seriously the coolest, you guys.

We are free to struggle, but we're not struggling to be free. We have already been purchased! We have already been redeemed! There is no struggle, no fear, no worry that can plunge us back into darkness. We have been saved by the light, and He is with us forever! He promised that! But we are still free to struggle, and we will continue to struggle. Why?

Because He is building our testimony.

I had that revelation last night as I lay there panicking, and I knew for a fact that it was all God. It was His words. It was His Spirit in me telling me that. It was one of those times where I knew I didn't come up with it on my own, because it was almost as if I audibly heard those words. "I am building your testimony." Over and over and over. I scrambled to write it down- not that I could ever forget it. But I was in such awe.

I began to think through the Bible of all the sinners, the beggars, the crippled, the sick, the blind, the lonely. I thought of their struggles. And I noticed a pattern. In John 9, we read about Jesus healing a blind man. The dialogue between Jesus and the disciples is perfect and comforting:

John 9:1-5 ~

     As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

     "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

I feel like being blind would be a pretty difficult struggle. Just a feeling. Not ever being able to see, having to completely rely on those around you and your other senses. In fact, blind is somewhat how I feel right now, looking at the year ahead. I have no clue where I'm going. And it's a struggle. But this is is happening so that the works of God might be displayed through me.

Have you noticed that the most amazing stories you hear at conferences or in sermons or read in books, start out with great suffering? That's what makes them amazing! The fact that God takes people from a low point where it seemed like there was no hope, and turned everything around. Those are the stories that inspire us and cause us to praise God for His mighty works. Those are the stories that prove to us that God is real, and God is here! But there had to be struggling. There had to be weakness for those stories to happen. That was God building a testimony of His power and love. 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10~

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

You tell me, what is better? Having a peaceful, relaxing, successful life in which nobody comes to Christ through you, or living a painful, horrific, terrifying life through which your growth and struggle portray the mighty hand of God, for the benefit of everyone who heard your story? We weren't made to have an easy life. We were made to live a Christlike life. A life where the struggle to do good and have faith is what ultimately brings the salvation of souls- the ultimate goal.

This is my first blog post of 2015. I'm not at all sure of what will transpire between now and 2016. All I know is that I will be writing posts bursting with joy and praise, posts dripping with sadness and fright, posts hot with frustration and anger, or posts of complete confusion and loss. I know that this year I will cry tears of joy, disbelief, anger, sadness, depression, stress, confusion, and loneliness. But through it all, God is building my testimony, so that his strength, wisdom, and unfailing love can witness to everyone. No matter what happens this year, it will be for the glory of God. My greatest joys, my deepest cries, they will all be a testament to the perfect love of He who is already there.

Which is why I will write about it all.