Who You Is

 

Someone's Got To, might as well be YOU

Howdy y'all! (Always wanted to say that on here! haha) Man I'm really spoiling you guys! I'm actually starting to post on a regular basis! Don't expect this too often. Didn't have any homework tonight and decided to write instead. 

Over the weekend I saw a movie for the first time, one that everyone should see. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. It's called : To Save a Life. It touches on just about every topic a teen could possibly struggle with in a beautiful and realistic way. I loved it. 2 hours of a great message. Sure the acting isn't perfect, and some of it you can see coming. Still, I wish that I had seen it sooner. It gave me A LOT to think about. There might be a few posts that come out of that movie.

This will be the first. There was a quote in that movie that really stuck out to me. If you've seen it you probably know the one I'm talking about. The main character starts going to a youth group at his church, but all he sees are pretenders. People who go to church so they can look good, but don't believe a word. He gets up in front of them and says:

"What's the point in all this if you don't let it change you?"

As I referred to in my last post, the greatest danger to Christianity is not from the outside, but within. Fakers: those who say they are Christian, but certainly don't show the world that by their actions.

And so we go....

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Actions And Words

My freshman year the principal gathered all the freshman together and talked to us about what to expect in high school. I really don't remember much of it, though I'm sure that it's something we've all heard before. One thing he said has stuck with me since then though, and that is the quote on which this post's title is based (however horrid the grammar be!). He said (not sure who said it first!) "Be who you is, cuz if you be who you ain't, then you ain't who you is." 

Ok..... what's that mean?

It means be who you are. Be real. Don't put on a mask. Insert other cliche here.

But really, that's what it's saying. You have to be who you are. Don't let what others say influence you if you know what you are doing is right. Don't let others tell you who you are. Be it. Because if you don't be yourself, then you aren't anyone. You aren't the mask you put on, because you know in your heart that's not you. But you aren't yourself either, how can you be? You aren't anyone. Be who you are, because if you don't then you really aren't anyone.

Why do I bring that up now? Well let me stall with more questions because you all know how much I love doing that! Bwahahahahaha!! ... but really....

What does it mean to be a Christian? A follower of Jesus Christ, etc. yeah I get that. But what does it mean? What does it mean that a man who was so much more than a man died for you? What does accepting Him in your life do to change you? What makes you any different? That's the core question, is it not? What makes you different?

There was a man. A man who carried the burden of the whole world. He knew the wrongs we had done. He knew many of us wouldn't even be sorry. He didn't care. He would take that chance if it meant that some of us would be free. So he paid the ultimate price: He died. But He didn't just die. That would've been too easy. Oh no, He first was rejected by almost everyone He knew. He was publicly humiliated. He was mocked. He was spit upon. Then He was brutally tortured and made to carry the instrument of His death. Finally He was raised up on His cross, and left there to die - suffering for hours on end - while crowds looked on in hatred, laughing and jeering. The people who had just days before celebrated Him were now relishing His death. Imagine that sadness of His heart to see humanity at one of its lowest points. 

THAT is Jesus. THAT is what He did for you.

Why? Because He loves you. It's as simple as that cliche. He loves you. So much so that He would die for you even knowing what sins you would commit, how you would turn away from Him, what whirlpools you would choose, etc.. None of that mattered to Him if it meant that you would have even the smallest chance of happiness. 

THIS is the essence of Christianity. Self-Sacrifice. Agape Love. To die to oneself so that God can shine through and you can show others His love.

A Christian is joyful. And why not? The God who created the cosmos and the very laws of physics that govern them is his best friend! He doesn't need to worry about this life because there is something so much better waiting for him.   (Note: Joy does not equal happinness, but that's another topic.) 

A Christian follows the commandments because they want to know, love, and serve God. They want to be free (see The Rules). 

Sadly this is far too scarcely seen in society today. People see the "Cafeteria Catholics" who pick and choose what they want to believe and how they practice it. People see the "Sunday Christian" who is holy for that day of the week, but goes out partying, drinking, etc. the night before. People see the "Holier Than Thou" Christian, who seeks to make himself look better than everyone else. People see the "judgemental Christian" who is always putting down those who are different. People see the "Two-faced Christian" who act one way at Church and another way with friends. People see the "youth group Christian" - the kid who is always involved in His church, but never pays attention to it and doesn't care a lick about what any of it means.   They see the fakers who go to Church once a year because they think that covers them. They see far too many examples of what a Christian is not, but never what a Christian is: A Follower of Christ.

 If this is all you see of what it means to be a Christian, I'd agree with you: there's no point to it. If that's what it is, then you really are no better for being a Christian. In fact in some ways its worse because you are being something you're not. What's the point of all of this if you don't let it change you?

Be who you is.

If you're going to be a Christian, be one. Do it with your all. Don't just go to church on Sundays. Pray on your own. Study the Bible. More importantly than anything else, ACT LIKE ONE. A Follower of Christ is an Imitator of Christ, showing the world what God's love is. Wearing a cross or a crucifix does not make you a Christian - sorry if you thought so. It looks nice, but it's an empty statement if there's no action to back it up. How is it Christian to bully a kid at school? How is it Christian to lie? How is it Christian to use girls for your own pleasure? How is is Christ-like to cheat on a test? How is it Christ-like to cut someone off in traffic? How is it Christ-like to  neglect others in your life? How does any of that show God's love? 

A Christian shouldn't need to wear a cross for people to know he is one. St. Francis said "Preach the Gospel always. When necessary, use words." By our very actions the world should be able to see who we are, and what we stand for: the God of Love, and loving others. By showing love to others, by sacrificing even small things each day, by something as simple as a smile we can demonstrate to the world we are Christians. The cross is a reminder to you of what you stand for. It shouldn't be something that draws attention to you, but draws attention to God. If that's your reasoning, go for it. Otherwise words and crosses are cheap. Prove it. Be another Christ to someone.

Because if you  be who you aint...

If we continue to let the stereotypes stand, then we really are not changed. If you know Christ, REALLY know Him, there is no way your life won't change. I'm not saying it's easy - far from it. It will take sacrifices. It will take strength you never knew you had. But all of that is worth it, and it pales in comparison to what He did and continues to do for you each day. 

If you say you are a Christian, but don't follow through with actions, your life's going to feel empty. A shell. Empty words. Empty promises. You'll either be empty because:  you really aren't and are just saying so to look cool , in which case you are just wearing a mask; or you are a Christian but never do anything, so your faith will stagnate and feel hollow. St. Paul said that faith without works is dead. It takes both. Don't just say you are a Christian, LIVE IT.

Then you ain't who you is.

I have a challenge for you all. Everyone - Followers and Fakers alike. Be real this next week. Just try it for seven days. See what happens. Being fake helps no one, least of all you. If you are going to follow God, do it. Go all in. You have nothing to lose. Be Bold. Take that next step. Let God into your heart and let Him work in and through you this week. I promise if you take it to heart marvelous things will happen. Not necessarily huge things, or noticable things, but marvelous things nonetheless. Everytime I recommit I see it too.

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Being a Christian is not something you just do for a day and then it's over. Like I said, it ain't easy.

It takes a daily renewal.

Everyday when you wake up in the morning, you have to decide: Will you follow Christ today, or will you follow something else? The choice is up to you. I don't claim to be perfect. Often times I find myself choosing others paths just as often as not. I fall. But being a Christian doesn't mean you're perfect. Far from it. Being a Christian means that you admit that you are not perfect, and can't do it alone. Being a Christian does not mean you are better than anyone else. It means you admit that you need help. Being a Christian doesn't mean that you are stronger than anyone else. It means that you need God to strengthen you. 

Starting over with each new day, working towards God, working for His will. That is a Christian.  A daily renewal. A daily decision to sacrifice yourself for others. Agape love. That is what being a Christian is all about.    

Christians need to step up to the plate and show the world what Christ was and is really all about. Not the masks we wear to impress the world. Who cares about them when you've got God? The only way to change the way things are now is to take action ourselves. We are the only Christ some people will ever see. Make it a good one.

So now I ask you, reader:

"What is the point of all this if you don't let it change you?"

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I think the only verse that could work here is John 3:16.

God loved us.   So what?  What do we do in response? That's for you to decide.

Tonight I leave you with Hosanna by Hillsong United:

I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Stirring as we

pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity


Rise up to take your place. Love like He loved you. Be who you is.


Praying for you all!


Until Next Time,


~Wanted~