Ponderings

I have had many things on my mind of late. Some good. Some disappointing, some hopeful, some joyful. In all of these pondering moments, its interesting to see how God works things out, both in the way I see things, and they way I deal with things.
For instance, I recently became aware of a past Christian recording artist who wrote beautiful songs for God and about God, who has chosen to lead a shall we say, ulterior lifestyle. Not one that is how God designed for us to live at all. My immediate thought once I heard this was to completely boycott everything that this person had done while they were serving God. But then as I was thinking that, I wondered what made me think that. God doesn't love this person any less. And if we are to live in the image of God, then shouldn't our actions, no matter how big or small, should represent Him in some way. Should we turn away from someone just because of a mistake? did God turn away from me when I have sinned? While I in no way shape or form condone the way this person is now living, rather than try to forget that they ever existed, I should be praying that they see God now more than ever. Cause once they see God, then they will see the error of their ways. Not with everyone judging them. Cause when everyone tells you that you are wrong, its so easy to just ignore them. Cause so often we speak not out of love, but out of our own so-called self righteousness, whether we realize it or not. So often we speak of the speck in someone else's eye, rather than the log in our own. No one likes to admit that they made a mistake, yet when someone else fails, fingers start pointing and tongues start wagging. Its no wonder why Christians can be the worst models for Christ. We can be just as judgmental and hypocritical as anyone else. And the sad thing is, we often are. Instead of choosing a higher standard of living, we often settle into what is easy. We go along with the crowd.

I'm not saying that I have over come all of these tendency's, because I know that I haven't. Its always a struggle to stay away from certain conversations, or to blurt out what I'm thinking, or to start problems, and more often then not, I find myself doing these very things. I think every Christian daily find themselves in situations that would be so easy to go with the flow, rather than standing for what is right... Its like trying to walk up stream in a river. So many times you are so tired of doing the opposite that you just want to relax and be swept away. But the difference is made when we choose to keep trudging forward without falling. And trust me, people will start noticing you as you keep yourself from situations that could tear others down. They will notice that you aren't laughing at so and so like everyone else, or that you aren't gossiping are talking behind peoples backs. And I believe that thats the kind of person most people want to be friends with... People who they know will stand by them. They know they won't be judged. The rewards of living a life walking upstream can be so rewarding.
Tiring, exhausting maybe, but so fulfilling and worth it.
Be blessed~