|
Being a practicing Christian is one of the hardest things someone might try to do. The Christian stereotype is a hypocrite. Someone who thinks he is better than everyone, who thinks his religion is the best, who lies and cheats behind closed doors, and maybe worse, is an antiquated boring conservative fool. There was a time when being Christian meant that people could trust you, that you had integrity, that you had a bond with God that other people would see and in turn seek God as well. Unfortunately for some people it has now become just a label. The practice has become nothing more than a forgotten thought for some. We hear it in the news, on TV, in advertisements, we hear it from other people. Indirectly and directly. They tells us that being a Christian sucks. Our church is being attacked almost everyday by everyone, even its own followers. It is hard being a practicing Christian, but it doesn't suck. Being a christian is different than what most people think. There are only two rules in life a Christian should follow as guidelines in life. Love God and Love your neighbor. There is no guarantee that being a practicing Christian will end life's sufferings. It is not some magic fix that will cure all of your problems or life's problems. People no matter what will criticize you and physically beat you for no matter what reason. We blame the devil, but that will not stop the fact from happening. It will happen, and it has happened. People will put you down no matter what. That is a fact of life. You should not be surprised. Christianity is about improving your relationship with your creator God, and with your fellow man. I believe with all my heart and prayers that if you follow these things life will improve. It will still be hard because that is what life is about, but life will not only improve for yourself, but for the people around you. Now, you might say just improving your relationship with your fellow man is good enough, and life on Earth will improve, forget God in this. Unfortunately, it is a trick. We as people have very real limitations. Our love is only finite. The type of love that will care for everybody around us is an unlimited love. It is impossible for us to love in such a way. We need something greater than ourselves helping us to accomplish this. Today, the world will present to you that it is going down. If you knew every bad thing that happened today you would weep and cry and despair. Knowing God gives you hope and peace. Plugging in to unlimited love is a wonderful thing. You can see what the world should be and if you work at it, it will get there. Yes, it's rough now, but imagine by spreading good news to everyone, what this world would be then. Getting to know God has been hands down the best thing that happened in my life. It's given me love, peace, joy, life, appreciation of life, purpose, compassion, strength, and hope. Cynics will sneer and laugh, but does that improve things? Will cynicism give people hope? I start with me. I choose to change and hopefully by being a better person through my religion the world is definitely a little bit better. May God be praised.
Ed Bangalan |