People get on my nerves

Don’t get me wrong. I love people. I am fascinated by human nature and the wide range of craziness I see in the world today, but I don’t understand how anyone could harm a child or commit horrific crimes against other humans, nor do I understand how people will crush each other to get a head.

I am most annoyed with those people who would use the name of the Lord in vain. I am not talking about the people who use “Jesus Christ” as a swear word or a part of their expression. I am talking about those people who have the audacity to claim that they serve Him and love Him, but only appear to do it for personal gain.

I am frustrated by their lack of love and concern for others. I am frustrated that they would profess “God is on my side” only to crush a “brother” or “sister” in Christ with their greed and desire to get a head. Those people are wolves in sheeps clothing.

At least an Atheist says “There is no God” and an agnostic says “I don’t know if there is a God.” I fear for the life of the person who claims to do things in the name of God when they are doing it for personal gain. I fear the wrath they will face when they meet Him face to face. I fear the curses they bring into their own lives. I fear becoming one of them, and I pray that He will keep my spirit sharp and discerning and that I will never be one of those people, using His name to get a head for my own personal gain.

To me, it is ok not to believe. It is ok not to know what to believe in. It is even ok to me to seek and search and explore many faiths. It is never ok for me to make claims that God wants me to destroy someone else’s finances, hopes and dreams so that I can have a bigger business, fancier house or car, or more money to play with.

I know that some Christians would roast me over an open fire for that last paragraph (To me, it is ok not to believe. It is ok not to know what to believe in. It is even ok to me to seek and search and explore many faiths.) ……it’s sad that religion has such a hold on some lives.

I don’t believe that it is ok to hold unbelievers to the same standards as believers. I don’t believe that it is ok to force our beliefs on others either. I do believe that when a person is sincere in their seeking that God will in due time reveal His true identity to them, and people, it’s not about how “super spiritual” we can be in leading so many people to Him.

We lead by example. We lead by the love we have for each other. We lead by walking closely with Him. We lead by loving Him above all else. We lead by accepting others as they are and showing them His love. Love is the root of it. If we have no love we have nothing. If you sit in the pew on Sunday and stab your neighbour in the back on Monday to get your hands on their property, wife, car etc. you are not following what His word tells us to do, how to live, how to love.

There is not enough love in the church today. It is sad and pitiful and embarrassing. The one place that people need to be able to come when they are hurting is the one place that turns out more casualties that Iraq or Vietnam or even Hitler ever did. I am so thankful to be a part of a body of believers that wants to be a newer better representation of Christ’s love to the world. I am thankful for Pastor’s that lead by example and say “Go hard or Go home”. I am thankful that the people in my life are dedicated and committed to being a better church and better representation of who God is.

So yes, people get on my nerves when they are a poor representation of the Christian faith they profess, but who am I to talk?? I fail daily!! I’m just blowing off some steam, letting go of some hurts and putting them out with the garbage I am sure not even close to perfect, and will never claim to have it all figured out. I am just thankful that I serve a God who loves me the way I am and cares enough to show me how to change.