The Christian faith is preposterous. If we take a good look, we realize that Christians are called to believe and live some things that appear to be pretty irrational when viewed from the outside. What a ludicrous idea it is to love the people who don’t love you, who are even enemies! How crazy is it to follow someone who was executed as a common criminal? And to believe that he came back to life? Completely nuts!
The teachings of Jesus are pretty hard to swallow, even for those of us who already believe. But who is really crazy here? Jesus taught us to love, even when love was the last thing we felt like doing. We have two very well known examples in Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. who show us that the way of love can be much more powerful than the way of coercion. Modern studies have shown that forgiveness can lead to physical health. As hard as they may be to practice, the lessons of our faith really can lead us to happier, healthier lives.
The Christian way of life probably appears insane to the rest of the world because we live in a completely different reality. (The very admission of that might be reason enough to put some of us away!) The reality of the kingdom of God stands in complete opposition to the “reality” experienced by the world we live in. The teachings of Christ direct us toward wholeness. Our fallen world leads us to practice the opposite of what is really in our best interest; to crave things that hurt us, to build division rather than community. Which reality would you rather accept? The one that is most visible and easy to follow or the one that is harder to see, but eternal?
All I can suggest is to own your insanity. Accept that following Jesus Christ might make the rest of the world look at you sideways, and enjoy that. Relish the bizarre and wonderful life we have in God.
Blessings,
Rev. Nancy
Rev. Nancy
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