The Wilsons

In church today they showed a video about how Christians have really polluted the water when it comes to Christianity and the lost.  The man in the video said that most people haven’t really rejected Christ, they have rejected what we have attached to Him (our politics, our religious rules, etc.)   He apologized on behalf of the church to those who had been hurt by those who profess to be Christians and yet live a life contrary to the faith.  He also apologized for those of us in the church who have become so “Religious” that we have failed to reach out to the lost and hurting people in this world.

It really got me thinking. I guess it was more conviction than anything else.  At first I was quick to agree  with him and caught myself placing the blame on all THOSE OTHER people in the church.  Then as usually happens between me and the Big Guy, I saw that finger pointed back at me.  I was always the one to say, “It’s not about Religion, it’s about Relationship.”  I never considered myself a “religious” person.  I equate that term with the Pharisees who were all about the rules and the bondage.  I always thought I was a “relationship” Christian.

However, I started to wonder if I have become more of a “religious” Christian now that I am married and have children.  I have caught myself thinking that I would have a hard time inviting someone to my home who was homeless or struggling with some addiction or whatever.  You know, someone who wasn’t “pretty”.  All with the excuse that I have to protect my children.  Obviously it is  important to “wise as a serpent yet gentle as a dove”, but have I covered Jesus up in the process?  I mean, like the guy said in the video, Jesus was the kind of guy the lost and hurting ran to for comfort.  Am I like Jesus or just some cheap imitation of the kind of Jesus I want Him to be?

So that brings me to the question of ” Have I done a good job teaching my children about Jesus?”  When I talk about Him am I quick to list the do’s and don’ts of the Faith instead of love, justice and mercy?  What reflection do they see in me?  My children are my life’s work.  The most important thing is for  them to know Christ.  If I fail at this then what is my legacy really worth?

I think about my parents and what a great job they did allowing me to know Jesus for myself.  They did pass down some “religious” habbits, but they always seemed to focus on relationship Jesus.  My Father has been a great example of godliness, not perfection, but has always made it obvious that

he loved God.  Mom has always been able to trust the Lord for things.  She has always been a realist, not

backing down when it comes to talking about the “taboo” kinds of things.  It was always easy to confess to Mom, knowing that she wouldn’t love us any less.  I guess that is the easiest link to accepting that Jesus loves me even when I am not the perfect mom, wife, or even Christian.

Lord, help me to see through your eyes and not be afraid to love without condition; to show Your kind of love to the world.