Not Sellin’ Jesus

The following is a new page that will remain as a link at the top of the site.  Just didn’t want ya to miss it . . .

To my friends of varying faith journeys as well as to my church-going-friends, both kind enough to visit me (and Matt) here,

I understand I often write a bit vague and a lot gentle, but let me be clear in this particular smattering of words–

I’m not trying to sell you Jesus.  Honest.  I’m not hoping you’ll sign-up for anything, and I sure as heck don’t want your money as some sort of spiritual pay-off.  You can visit me here if you are a still-seeking Christian or a devoted Buddhist or a set-in-stone agnostic, and I will be better for your presence on these pages.

Yet, I would be gravely inauthentic if I failed to say upfront that

I’m crazy about this Jesus.

I grew up watching other people love him, and I stepped into faith young. But wanting to know him and wanting to be known for knowing him are two different things entirely, and I always chose the latter, I’m afraid.  And, so I raised my hand in Sunday School, and I clawed the mask of perfection.

But, then in my twenties, through this man that lays beside me at night and through failures that I couldn’t hide in the day, I really met him again.  This Jesus who claimed to be God but washed people’s feet.  I read about him afresh in this Book, and I fell in love all over again.  Actually, maybe for the first time.

And I’ve learned over the past decade that he’s after my heart entirely, and that he could care less about the show.  I’ve learned that his call begs me to risk everything for the following and that His death mysteriously means my redemption.  I’ve learned that he hung out with the weak and the poor and the kids, first, and that maybe I should do the same.  I’ve known him to be demanding and gentle and True and completely other. I‘ve learned that more than anything he wants

love.

A love for him that is crazy-consuming.  And a love for people that is crazy-sacrificial.

And that is why I find myself hacking out this life overseas.  Not because I’m a “good humanitarian,” and most definitely not because I thrill for the adventure of it.  Not because I am trying to earn a spiritual merit-badge and not because I think the going is somehow more valuable than the staying.  I’m here in Thailand simply because I believe that this Jesus I’m so crazy about, wanted me to come. And this Bible I read, tells me that obedience naturally follows love.

{The idea of not selling Jesus, but introducing him instead, came from the book Blue Like Jazz by author Don Miller.  It’s one of my all-time favs, and in my humble opinion, you should totally check it out.}

For further discussion about spiritual matters, visit a friendly site I’m involved with called Tattered Couch.  Feel free to jump in to the conversation over there, as well.

COMMENT?

Tagged as: bible, favorite, featured, jesus, seekers