Deal of a...Lifetime!

My blog is random. This I know. I'm not a Mom. Not a health-nut. Never been accused of being an exercise fanatic. In the 'about me' section of the blog I've warned that my posts will be about my life and all the different facets of it. Some are serious. Some are funny (you know you laugh when someone falls). Some are about the South (no worries, more to come soon on FRIED goodness). Some are about good deals (I'm a 'deal' girl, what can I say?). But, there's something I've never written on here. I've thought about it, but (for reasons which will be obvious) have not broached this particular subject outright. However, recently I've become increasingly aware of just how little people really KNOW of the TRUTH.

This past year I volunteered to be the chaplain (through FCA) for the JV/Varsity cheerleaders at Abbeville High. Once a week, after practice, I lead them in a devotion from the Bible. This being the South, I assumed that everyone already knew the basics of Christianity and that I would probably just teach from the Bible on different life issues each week. But, when I was praying on what to teach on the first week, God led me back to what I thought was obvious. "What exactly does it mean to be a Christian?" And again the second week. "How do you come to know God? How do you know you're a Christian?" Even this past week, "What does it mean to truly repent?"

America is supposed to be 'the Christian country,' but I've been shocked and saddened by how much we truly take for granted here in our 'freedom.' We're so 'free' that it doesn't mean as much to us anymore. Maybe all of the persecution and threats to Christianity in politics lately should be a big wake up call to us! If not, then maybe the fact that our teenagers, many who think they are Christians and who know parables and Bible stories, don't really know what it all means. My time with these precious girls at AHS has taught me a lot, and in particular, that we shouldn't assume everyone around us knows the truth; we need to be bold in our faith and not afraid to speak up for what we believe in.

"Christian" is literally translated to "follower of the way." In the Bible (John 14:6), Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." As followers of Christ, we are called to live like he did. No, we will not be perfect, but yes, we are to set our standard there. Yes, it's hard. And thank God that we do not have to sacrifice animals, or pray a certain number of times daily, or travel to a mecca to make up for all the times we fail. When we repent (not just acknowledging our sin to a God who already knows about it!) God forgives us. When you truly repent from something you are agreeing with God that it's wrong and Matthew 3 says you will "produce fruit" in keeping with repentance,which means you will take ACTION! (To stop doing something or to start doing what you were avoiding.) It can be super hard (but God will give you his strength) and you might fall right back into it and have to repent again, but forgiveness is a well that never runs dry. We don't do anything to deserve it. It's a gift. Called grace.

Accepting that Jesus Christ, who was fully man (and perfect) and fully God, was an actual person who walked the earth and was severely beaten and tortured to death on a cross because he loves us is not logical. Our earthly minds and human reason rebel against faith. Ironically, deep down inside we all know there's a Creator, a God; we know right and wrong (at least in some ways) intrinsically. We all yearn for the love and companionship of a Lord. And sometimes we try to fill our desires with relationships, money, or power...and we fail. Peace cannot be found until we accept the truth, and then, peace cannot be taken from us even amidst chaos.

Going to church, simply saying a prayer, being good and kind, trying to do the right thing...this does not make you a Christian. Many people are scared to become Christians because they think of 'what I'll have to give up,' but don't realize all that they're missing out on. It's not just about going to Heaven - it's about having the fullest life on earth! It is accepting Jesus as Lord over your life (as Paul says, becoming a slave to Christ, surrendering your everything!) and living for Him. It is a relationship. It is the deal of a lifetime! We deserve Hell; we get Heaven. Christians are not always good and kind, do not always do the right thing and are hypocrites much of the time. But to judge Christ by Christians, unfortunately, does not give the world a true picture of Him. If you are a Christian, watch how you walk, because others are. If you aren't, then don't miss out on this deal of a lifetime! :)