It has been a while since I have posted anything on my blog. Life, children and general distractions took me away from what I love to do. But recently, in fact, this morning, I felt compelled to write this post.
I am a firm believer in Jesus. I talk to him in the morning, throughout my day, and at night when I am recounting my day. I ask Him to give me strength to do His will and thank Him for his many blessings. I wouldn’t consider myself a “Holy Roller”, always inserting Jesus into conversation and forcing people to hear my side while being ignorant to other views of spirituality. I have always been unassuming and quiet in my adoration.
Recently, I have been noticing a trend in media, social networking and general consensus, that to be a believer is viewed as being closed minded and idiotic. That we believe in a notion or practice a religion that is portrayed as flawed and hypocritical. It is almost scowled upon to mention Jesus in conversation. People snicker and raise their eyebrows if one mentions a Bible quote or dares to mention sin.
What happens in society as a whole has never been much of a concern to me because, it just wasn’t. Who am I to think that I have any control over the world. My concern has always, and will always, be my immediate family. It pains me to see my husband and oldest son turn away from Jesus and make jokes. But worse than being pained, it seems more acceptable to make jokes than to believe.
Yesterday, I was sitting in the living room with my two girls and youngest son. I turned on the television so we could watch a movie and hit the wrong button on the remote. The Christian contemporary music channel came on. As they were playing on their “iGadgets”, I inadvertently left it on and just sat. Suddenly I noticed my 13 soon to be 14 year old daughter raise her eyebrows and smirk. I asked her what was so funny. She said that the song sounded funny. Then my 11 year old daughter chimed in and said that she didn’t know christian music sounded like this. I told them how they were lucky because when I was a kid, there wasn’t any “cool” Christian music. Then I remembered a band I listened to as a teen. They were a Christian heavy metal, band named Stryper. But, I digress.
My older daughter said that her friends mom always played this music and it was annoying. She continued to say how it wouldn’t be right for me to play this music if someone came into the house who wasn’t Christian. That I would be forcing them to listen to it. Now, if you all knew me personally, you would know that I am not one to be told what I can and cannot do I my own home. I told my daughter that if her friend didn’t like the music, then she would have to leave. Period!
This was just a small illustration of what I mean when I ask if Jesus a dirty word. Society has become so anti-religion that even I, a devout believer, have found myself second-guessing posting something related to Jesus on my Facebook page, having seen the onslaught of insolence that follows. I do not debate with people over my God. I do not defend my position. What is happening?
I have recently been listening to audio books at bedtime and while working around the house. I stumbled upon a series of books called the “left Behind” series by Tim Lehay and Jerry B. Jenkins. As any other believer knows, these would be books about what would happened after the rapture. What would happen to all those “left behind”. Again, I must tell you that I never took much stock in end of world stories, as it says in the Bible that no one knows the day or time that He will return, and most of these stories are very exaggerated for the readers sake. But, in listening to the books, I have been exposed to scripture, especially Revelation, that I never paid attention to. I have read the book of Revelation and it was difficult for me to take in due to its extreme symbolism and language. It’s hard to wrap my mind around. But in the stories I have been listening to, many of these passages are explained in a way that I could understand. The greatest of them being the “soon.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not packing my bags yet, but I am noticing things. The greatest of these being the slow, but steady abolishment of religion. God being taken out of our pledge. Religion being forbidden in schools, even individually. Children being told that they cannot wear shirts bearing religious symbols. Churches being desecrated and clergy being assaulted. Recently in Florida, my sister said that she had to prove that she as a citizen when renewing her license, which I think is necessary, but that her new license bore a gold star proving this. It made me think of the number. You know what I mean!
It is not my intention to those who have read this far to panic or have fear in any way. I do think those of you who have read this far understand my concern. I think it is time for us to begin speaking up and, yes, defending our belief. Defending our God! When scowled upon, ask why. When confronted with hostility, ask why. When speaking to our children, press on. Tell them why we believe. Tell them why we are here and where we believe we will go. Make sure to keep our minds and hearts ready.
When someone asks or is seeking Him, gently converse. Explain to them how we feel and why we believe. You would be surprised how many out there in this cold unforgiving world seek forgiveness. Seek only love. We know where unconditional love comes from. As I tell my children, there may come a time when you are frightened, alone and the dark one is at your back. I tell them that the gift that we have as Christians is an instant message system directly to Jesus. To say His name out loud and affirm that you have nothing to fear because you are a true believer. This is the greatest gift you could ever give to another human being. Freedom from fear.
It isn’t okay to just accept blasphemy. (Ooooh, another dirty word)
It isn’t okay to accept disrespect from our children because of the times they are living in. It isn’t okay to allow disrespect of Jesus in our own homes. In fact, the other day, my husband was using his joking tone when mentioning Jesus and I got so angry, that I turned around and yelled, “ENOUGH!!!”. I said that it was not okay for him to pass on his issues with religion on to our children! I told him that I would not have it! Period!!
He got the message loud and clear and I pray for Him every day.
I thank you all who have read this whole post. It is a pretty long one, but as I said in the beginning, I felt oddly compelled to write this today. Maybe some of you needed to read it. Jesus has Risen!
