Me v. The World

I listen to different types of music. Sometimes I will read the linear notes inside, and I also enjoy going to the thank you’s. I really don’t know why, it’s not like I think I will know any of the people mentioned, or that I will somehow be mentioned, I just find it interesting. Sometimes in the thank you’s I see God mentioned, or Jesus, usually a heart felt thank you for their talents, or their family. Then I will hear a song that did not go with that ‘thank you’ at all. A song filled with hate, or despair, that does not show God’s love, no matter how hard you look. Then I will hear a song, on the same c.d. that is truly searching for hope, a glimmer of faith, turning to God to help them.

The same can be said about some actors, you might see them on t.v. promoting their next big blockbuster, or their new show, and they might have a little blurb about their faith or how God has blessed them. After having a certain respect for the courage they had to state such a fact, you might be interested in seeing their new endeavor. As you watch you hear a slew of language, some using God’s name, or if it is a new t.v. show it is filled with innuendo and language that does not go with the image they portrayed earlier.

I am not condemning these people, I am afraid that at times I am too much like them myself. How many times do we have good intentions to say to the world ‘I AM A CHRISTIAN’ only to end up saying it but not showing it? I know the black and white of sin, but it isn’t always clear cut. The world tells us that some sins are okay:

Lying is a sin, yet a white lie never hurt anyone.

Use of offensive language is bad, unless you are around ‘the guys’.

Adultery is a sin, but looking and flirting is okay.

The world, even some Christians, will tell you, ‘don’t be a prude, after all you are a grown-up right?’ I believe that is one of the lamest reasons to give, like there is a certain age to do all this, and it is child’s play to be good. I know that through God’s blood we are redeemed, yet we are not to relax in sin. I think that is what we are tricked into sometimes.

Some of the struggles I face is listening to music, that might not have bad language but the message is not something I would like my kids listen to. I think that is obvious to most people, if you wouldn’t let your kids listen to it then you shouldn’t. What about that movie that everyone is talking about with that wonderful off color joke that is okay for everyone, but your kids, to hear? Or the television show, book , etc.

 As Christians we are watched closely, we don’t judge, but sometimes the world may feel like we do, so to compensate for that I believe we let ‘little’ things slide so we become more accepted, and are considered pretty cool for a Christian.

What are the ‘little things’ that hold you back?

D.