Letting Go and Pressing On

Last night a young lady gave her life over to God by being immersed into Christ. It was a pretty cool event. It's always good to see a young (or old) person commit their lives to Christ. I am happy for her and for her parents who have invested their lives in raising their kids to get them to this point - the point of giving it all over to God. But, it makes me think, too. This young lady is stepping into a new life! And by "new", I mean different than probably 95%+ of the kids at her school, most of the people she'll run into in life - we're talking very different!
But, that's what it is isn't it? That's what Peter was trying to tell the Christians he was writing to when he says, "So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy...And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests...You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession" (1 Pet 1:14-15; 2:5, 9 - NLT). We are different. At least we should be. And when you're in the 8th grade, surrounded by either ungodly punks or people who are pseudo-Christian, it's going to be hard. Well, truth is, I'm in that situation and I'm almost 40! That's where we all are. And it's tough to be holy, separate people.
My prayer for this young lady is that she'll hang in there. I think she will - she's a good kid. What I pray doesn't happen is what's happened to too many...the Slow Fade. Do you know that song? It's by Casting Crowns. Look at these words: "It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade, when black and white have turned to gray. Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid, when you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day. It's a slow fade." (The song was in "Fireproof" by the way.) But isn't that the case. People rarely intentionally fall away from their relationship with God. It just happens...slowly...gradually...then one day they're back in the old life. This won't happen for this young lady - that's my prayer. We won't allow it, as her Christian family.
So, to prevent this Slow Fade, what can we do? Well, I'll answer with words from another "Fade" song. This one by Jeremy Camp: "Let it Fade", "Let this old life crumble, let it fade. Let this new life offered be your saving grace. Let this old life crumble, let it fade, let it fade." Nice words, Jeremy. But Paul says it best, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Cor 5:17).

The Struggle

OK - 2 in one day. A little indulgent don't you think. Maybe you're right; but I just had to share this, too. It's another song. See, I'm trying to be a little more open to "Religious Rock/Pop" music. So, there's this song by Run Kid Run called "Freedom." Here is a portion of the lyrics: "All my chains I can't disengage and I don't believe that I want to. One hand sings your praise, the other brings me shame. I have selfishness to blame" Isn't that the Christian life almost in a nutshell?! It reminds me so much of what Paul says in Romans 7: "I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate...And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway" (Rom 7:15-19). That is such a potent passage. You know why? Because that's the apostle PAUL writing that. HE struggles. And if Paul can admit that the Christian life is tough, surely I can!
"Freedom" also includes an answer to this dilemma: "I scream, ' Father, please I need rescuing. I need You and You alone.'" What a coincidence - Paul provides the same solution: "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 7:24-25).

Give Me Your Eyes

"Give me your eyes for just one second. Give me your eyes so I can see, everything that I keep missing. Give me your love for humanity. Give me your arms for the broken-hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me your eyes so I can see." This song by Brandon Heath has a great message, doesn't it? Allow me the ability to NOTICE! And when I notice someone that needs attention, give me the wisdom to act, the courage to show love and compassion - not in a pitying way, but in a way that reflects the love of God to someone who needs it.
We all see them. We all probably know many of them - the broken-hearted, the ones forgotten. Galatians 6:9-10 seems very relevant: "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." "Give me your strength when I am weary. Give me your arms to guide my way. Give me your voice when mine will falter, to say the things I need to say." No, those words aren't in Mr. Heath's song; but they're in my heart.