“Just Christian”

My friend said “You haven’t posted anything lately?” You know some weeks just fly by and before you know it it’s been 10 days….So my friend here are my ponderings of the last blog-less days.

I was having a conversation with an acquaintance and they mentioned they had someone that they wanted me to meet, of course I said sure! The next line is the one I have pondered, she said “They are Christian, but you know not a Heavy Duty Christian.” My response, embarrassingly was, “Oh, I know what you mean.” But this stayed with me, I woke up thinking about it and have chewed on it for days. Does being fun mean you can’t be a Christian? Does being broken, being real, loving everyone make you a Christian “Light”….you know like fewer calories, less filling…. but in this case less rules? Hummm??

I have heard all sorts of descriptions over the years…..Christians with a K, Overboard Christian, Crazy Christians, Normal Christian, Radical Christians…..the list goes on. I am just wondering why we need to define our faith? Isn’t this the most important relationship in our life? Are we scared of being judged, not accepted? Or are we afraid that others will think we will judge them? I have on my Facebook “Believer” instead of “Christian” because I think the word Christian has gotten such a bad rap, BUT what do people think I believe in if Christ is not in the word? I believe in love, faith, grace, forgiveness and mercy, but isn’t Christ at the center of these beliefs for me?

This takes me to another conversation that I had with a good friend…She was saying that she was walking with someone and they asked if she knew me. My dear friend said “Why?”  She has a wonderful sense of humor by the way, she told me she was going to deny me like Peter denied Jesus if it was bad!  Thank goodness it was good, so of course she said we were best friends! But isn’t it funny that our first response is to deny. ( I know she was joking but thought it was too funny to leave out)

Then lastly I was watching Good Morning America and saw a well known minister talking in an interview about faith. He was saying some really good things like….”God is present with you no matter what you are walking through.” Amen brother keep preaching….Then the host said, “It seems like you are saying faith is easy.” And then the minister replied with something that I wanted to jump in the TV and smack him for….He said, “It is.” …….  NO IT”S NOT! Faith can be hard, we struggle with even claiming the name Christian, much less walking in it. I was sad for all those people sitting at home thinking, it’s not easy for me. Sometimes life can be so difficult that picking up your faith seems impossible. Please Mr. Preacher Man…..be real, be human and let others know that life is difficult even for Christians.

So that is the summary of my 10 blog-less days, between mothering, coaching, cooking, cleaning and all the other things that make up my life I am left with the conclusion….. For me being a Christian is to be real, authentic, loving and forgiving. To accept others and myself with all our glory’s and flaws. Not to deny but to present to the world what Jesus would have been if he walked among us. He knew struggles and pain and knew faith was hard but he showed us that it was the way to peace, comfort and new life.

Instead of using adjectives to describe my faith I will be Just Christian…..like Just Merrill…..and accept the whole ball of wax that makes me who I am. I am a woman, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, friend, coach and a Christian.