What Could be...

           This could be life changing, no no no, strike that, family changing, no no no, this could change communities, no, still not enough, here it is, this could change the world. I mean, literally change the stinkin world. No hype; just fact. What you are about to read could change the world and it would start by changing you.

            Before continuing I want to clarify. Yes, I am a preacher but this isn’t written as a preacher would. So, there will be Christians offended as well as people who aren’t believers. But I write this as a husband and a father. As a friend, a son and a brother. I write this will no ulterior motives. I will spell out my reasoning very clearly and hopefully it will be read by the 10 people that regularly read this with an open mind. Here goes…

            I want to see the world changed. I get tired of hate. I get fatigued at political talk and people being offended because someone doesn’t say or believe things the exact way someone else does. Our society has become the epitome of selfishness. One thing I will agree with our parents and grandparents on; the world is changing but I’m not sure it’s for the better. If you don’t believe me, just watch any political speech, debate or conversation about who our next president will be. And it doesn’t have to be on television. Most likely it can and will happen at your place of employment between now and November. People can’t even be friends or civil acquaintances if they fall on opposing lines of the politics of the day. I’ve experienced it. It’s not a pretty thing.

            And it’s not just about politics. It can be something as simple as a sports team, or a sport. And we don’t have the space to bring up religion… and honestly, even in the Christian faith, denominations sometimes find difficulty coexisting and they agree on many more topics than they don’t.

            So, what can change all that? What do I offer that hasn’t already been tried? My answer is I have nothing new. I have not one new idea. Honestly, nobody really has new ideas. Usually just new perspectives. And that is what I offer today. A new perspective.

            What if more people took on the attitude, actions, and mind of Christ? No, don’t stop reading just yet. Even if you don’t believe his theology or that he really is the son of God, what about his attitude and his actions. Before you dismiss this I want you to understand the distinction that I am offering. I am not asking people to act like church people or even Christians that they know or have known. I am talking about Christ himself. I am talking about the man who placed himself in between an angry mob of church leaders and a woman who had committed adultery. I am talking about a man who lived his life to serve humanity. When he spoke it wasn’t to win votes it was to change lives.

            How did he treat the outcasts of society? He touched the leper, had breakfast with those that had walked away from him at his darkest time, and went to a party at the rich crooks house. Never do I read about him being uncomfortable or trying to disassociate himself from them. He spoke about turning the other cheek then allowed us to watch as he demonstrated it later in his life. He spoke about making the world a better place by being salt and light to the world. He said that his followers should be salt. His followers should be healers and the types of people that make the world a better place. What does a light do in a dark place? It makes it brighter; it makes it better.

            He taught us to forgive, then gave his life, not to force anyone to a life of a believer, but simply to make it available to all. He not only spoke words but he lived them and died for them. No matter your beliefs you have to take notice of the incredibleness of the man don’t you?

            So, what would the world look like if more people were like Christ? I know that’s a stretch, but how about this? What would your world look like if you were? I think about what my family would look like if I were more like Christ. What my day to day attitude would be if I had the conviction and confidence to change my world by starting with me.

            There is really no action required by you or anyone else. I just thought I would put my thoughts to words this afternoon. I’m trying it. I’m trying to live selflessly. I want to take away the excuse of, “this is just the way I am”. I don’t like it when others use that excuse so I don’t want to use it either. This may be the way I have become but I know a much better way. I know people who are health nuts that used to not be. And they don’t like it when people use excuses (like me) to not be gung-ho about green vegetables. Well, I am getting a little thin skinned with people who are just lazy in their personality and attitude. But I can’t expect any one person to do something that I’m not willing to do myself first.

            Politics, religion, social and personal theology aside; what would your world be like if you were more like Christ instead of more like other Christians? Let’s find out!

 

Pastor Dad