I am a Christian.
I’m becoming a Christian
Both are true … from their unique point of view.
In the first, it’s God’s point of view: just as God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before God in love [Ephesians 1.4. This is a crucial piece of the puzzle - we begin with God’s decision, God’s choice, God’s claim upon our lives. Lest we get lost within ourselves, and all the ups and downs of the journey.
In the second, it’s our point of view - recognizing the “journey” of faith … the movement toward God, and the movement away … the daily ups and downs of life, faith, and hope. Some days, we’re very close to God, other days we drift away. The sun shines bright, and, then, sometimes storm clouds gather and break upon us.
It’s easy to get lost in the second point of view - ensnared in fretfulness about our status with God - am I faithful enough? how am I doing? am I good enough? what’s my prayer-life like? why is everything so hard? why is my soul weary? why do so many dark thoughts disrupt my spirit? Maybe I’m not a Christian. Maybe I shouldn’t even try!
When we begin with the first point of view, we have a firm foundation from which to view the journey, and not to worry about the fluctuations in the spiritual stock market. We accept our limitations, our faults and failings, and still remain confident in God’s eternal love. We trust what God has said to us in our baptism: You are mine, and nothing in all the world, time or eternity, anywhere, any which way, can alter or diminish my love for you [Romans 8.38-39].
As you walk in the ways of Christ and seek to love God and neighbor, keep this mind: begin in the strength and hope of God’s love for YOU, and then tackle the ups and downs of life, read your Bible, say your prayers, go to church, and sing the songs of Zion. Some days, it’ll all be well, and sometimes it’ll be hard. There’ll be days when the spirit sags. When you don’t want to pray, and you walk away from God, maybe even run. But just like the chancel of Westminster, when it comes to God’s love for you, the assurance of God’s mercy, in life and in death, remember: the sky is always blue!
