Being Real

Many times I find myself dreaming of the person I want to be in the future...mostly what I dream my relationship with God will be like. Sometimes I set goals, but many times I find myself looking back to see what has impacted my present, learn to surrender and sort out that issue, and move forward into greater joy with God. But I also find that at times religion instead of relationship comes forth. Sometimes it is pain or temptation that I'm dealing with that makes me put on a facade so that people don't think that there's something wrong with me. It makes me wonder, how many times do we put on that facade...the religious stuff just so people can see that our "faith" is genuine. How many times do we have to fake it before we make it?

This Christianity thing is serious. It's a serious relationship with a real being. It's a serious thing because God told us from the get-go that we can't keep this to ourselves. But we do. Jesus accepted the outcasts...why can't we? Jesus accepted the dirty...why can't we? Jesus dined with the sinners...why can't we? Jesus even ministered to the aliens in the land...why can't we?

Sometimes God has to use pain...real pain...in order to wake us up and get our attention. And I'm talking about some real personal stuff here - it hurts, but man is the joy amazing! It's kinda like reminding us that we are a live and that we are real so be real. It's not about the number of lives we save...how much money we give in the offering pot...how many friends we have. I've stood behind the curtains many times looking around to see where people are at...do you know how many people I've seen who watch the pastors preach, who listen to the worship leaders, who come to the Bible studies, who pray who look at the people who belong to the Church and ask "is this even real? Is any of this real?"

And it's not about pushing yourself, beating yourself up, playing the guilt/shame game in order to be that better Christian...believe me been there done that. It comes from deeper intimacy with God...that quiet time just getting to know God and opening more and more of your heart to Him. The strength to face what we must as Christians can only come from God and the people in my life who have this strength have often faced the deepest, most difficult trials in their life.

So Church, are you ready to enter into this intimacy with God? If you are you better be open to letting go of things you hold onto in your heart. Boy, am I struggling with this! But oh such sweet peace and joy...the intimacy with God...to sit at His feet...it's worth it! I just hope that before I even talk the talk that my walk is the thing that people see...I hope my walk is what transforms the lives around me...less speaking more moving! Booyah Church; you ready?!

I think the faith to move mountains comes