I have something very interesting to share today. Yes, it's about God. Regardless of your religion, you should really read on, because i think its pretty cool.
The last few weeks in church have been one of listening, being attentive and finally actually trying to learn something that I will apply in my live. It all started off 2 lessons ago when Uncle Henry told our class that we have a lack of respect for God's word. Then there came the verse about how God will trim off the branches on a tree that does not bear fruit. Not that it was new; but it shoke me. A buck up sign? Maybe. But more of a gentle reminder from my Heavenly Father I would say.
Then last week, Mervyn(my cell group leader) shared with us about the GOSPEL. Gospel simply put is the good news- the coming of Christ and his death, and the implications and results of this. At the beginning of the lesson, I had said that the GOSPEL to me, was a "testimony of God's love for me, to me." We then went on to watch a video from Rob Bell about this good news. He interestingly went on to say that "We are the good news" (he talked a lot more about how he came to this conclusion and everything, but I don't have the time and memory to write everything down).
But it was just then that I realized he made perfect sense. The good news is a "testimony of God's love for me, to me" (this was my initial definition). Then what happens after I receive the good news?
When we, sisters and brothers receive the good news, then we ourselves become the good news. If we have God's love in our hearts, then are we not ourselves now the "testimony of God's love for the world, to the world". Do you understand what I mean? It just hit me- that this good news the Lord has for me, is not just a piece of script, it's not just about accepting Jesus. It's also about it translating into the lives of us, christians, till we become this living testimony, till we become this powerful gospel that will bring others to our God, and then manifest the good news, this gospel, among more and more people.
Reading the gospel brings peace and joy to believers, and some unbelievers. How then can I, a sinful creature carry the goodnews and be a living gospel? It's not possible technically, because I am bound to sin, I am bound to make mistakes. These mistakes may hinder unbelievers from coming to Christ. But yet, I must, I must somehow strive to be the living testimony that my Father has called me to be. And honestly after the lesson I still didn't know how just my life alone, could and can be the GOSPEL to such an extent that when people look at me, and live with me, they can see the good news which is specific to the gospel, living in me.
Then this week something miraculous happened. I was just chatting with a teacher, and she suddenly asked me, "What church do you go to?" And I answer, "Grace Methodist Church, near vivo." Then I paused, and asked, "how do you even know I am Christian?" Her reply? "of course I know. Christians have observable traits." And for a moment it's like this warmth glowed in my heart, because it was such an encouragement. I didn't understand how a good christian can be any different from a good unbeliever, if we're talking about just "character content". But here it was, this teacher telling me straight in the face that she knows I am a christian because of what I do. It's amazing really.
"Freiheit zur Liebe" as some of you may know is my blog title, my little slogan this year. It was just a self-initiated thingy, a little phrase I liked, and still like. Today however, it has been "God- di -fied" What I mean is that this phrase now means so much more to me than it ever did before.
In church we learnt that we must be silent to hear the Lord's voice, for God's voice is not in the wind, earthquakes or fire, but the sound of the Lord is in the silence. So I sat down today and just kept quiet, waiting for the Lord to speak. To be honest I do not know if it was Him speaking, but letters appeared in my mind, "L.O.V.E" (i mmediately thought of freihet, but i shoved that out cause i didn't wanna get distracted). Then I just had this sudden thought of "Galations 5" which at that moment I did not know exactly what it was. So I turned the pages of my blible, and there the title of Galations 5, was "Freedom in Christ".
So I read it, I read till verse 14. and I see a new picture. Verse 13: "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
In this one verse, the meaning of God's Freiheit zur Liebe is there. This German phrase, meaning "Freedom to love" in some translations is now so much more meaningful, so much more...God. The Freedom I have is a freedom to love. I don't understand how i could turn to this chapter which seemed to emcompass this phrase which I had just randomly picked up from google translator, this phrase which i have been using freely, but not really understanding what it means.
Now I know. Now I know. At least, I feel that I do. A month ago I chanced upon the phrase. A month ago God MADE ME chance upon this phrase.
Today, Freiheit Zur Liebe is more than a blog name, it's more than a catchy phrase I like using. Today it is God's word for me, it is why I want to continue to be the living word, to be the gospel, to have the freedom so that I can be the good news to the world, through love.
Galations 5:6
"..The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
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2 comments:
Praise God! I had the same doubts as you, sometimes I worry that my actions are not Christ like enough... but after reading your post, I feel so encouraged! (:
That's awweesssomeeee april! Continue working hard on it. If you wanna come to church, you can come to mine anytime. Mine's really closeby to your house. So anything, just give me a ring-a-ding-dong.
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