As a Christian, sometimes people hold me up to "lofty" goals. I'm not calling anyone out on it (My ADHD Me and Greg) but a couple even indicated surprise that I was reading Lynn Spears book, because I was a Christian (not realizing it was by a Christian publishing house).
Maybe sometimes I watch the wrong shows, maybe sometimes I slip up and act like a BIG JERK (surprising, I know, yet true). What if someone who sees me as a "Super Christian" with a big red cape then sees me royally screw up. "Hypocrite!" they may think. What if someone falls away from the chance of Christ, because they see me and think "if that's what it's about, I'm out."
So today, the song I'm thinking about is "What if I Stumble" by DJ Talk. Because I stumble all the time. Sometimes I even fall. I am a sinner saved by grace. I'm thankful I have Jesus to hold my hand when I stumble. And I do stumble.
Job 4:4 -- Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
Psalm 37:23-25 -- If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
James 2:10 -- For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
25 comments:
I totally know what you mean. I was reading the Harry Potter books becuse I work in children's ministry and I believe that we need to know what it is that kids are drawn to and why. I was "told off" by some christian friends who said that as a christian i shouldnt be reading them. My argument is.....how can I tell these kids why they shouldnt read this kind of book if I myself know nothing about it?!
We do stumble, most on a daily basis! but we are not beyond forgivness! Learn from the stumble and try not to stumble over the same thing next time.
I love that DC talk song. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for being you!
V x
Good thoughts, Kelly!
My prayer and hope is that I am judged by the fruit that I produce over time, and not by one or two screw-ups. I also remind myself to extend this same grace to others.
Hey Kelly,
This is definite FOOD for thought today! Usually my christian friends allow me Grace and Mercy, but my non-christian friends REEEALLY hammer me if I blow it. They definitely think to be a christian you have to be perfect.
I'd never heard that song before!
Thanks for sharing this today. I know I was meant to hear it.
Have a great weekend,
Lea
Kelly,
Great choice!! What if I stumble, what if I fall? Am we going to do that? Of course, we are.
I remember one Sunday, our lead Pastor stepped down off the stage, stood in amongst all of us attending service, and said, "Just because I have gone to school to become a Pastor, doesn't mean I'm any different than any of you. I'm right here in it with you. I make mistakes, I fall, I crawl--just like you do. And then, I turn to the cross."
This has stuck with me--no one of is any different from the other--we all will stumble, we all will fall, and then we need to turn to the cross and ask forgiveness, repent and learn.
I've never heard this song before. I'm glad you shared this, and it has a great message.
Beth
Great post! Thanks for introducing this song! Love it!
Awesome song!
Shame on any of us for judging another. No one knows the depths of the others heart for God, but God. We are to encourage one another, exhort one another and reproof when necessary by the word of God - not what we think or believe.
With that said, I would have to disagree - I don't need to watch, listen or read something to be able to teach teens why something is bad for them. Anything that can possibly pull them away from their relationship or desire for God is not good for them. If it is not pure, lovely, etc then don't think about it God says.
I think it is best that we digger deeper into His word than what makes us feel good about our falling. The body of Christ is lukewarm at best because we use the excuse of being human and our being saved by grace. We are - PRAISE GOD! His mercy endures forever - THANK GOD!
Yes, we are human. God says to be the light in a dark world. Our light must shine bighter than others and whether it feels good or not we are being watched like a hawk by ALL. Especially non-believers. It is our only job to make God look good. All for His glory! We must allow God to deal with our pride daily so there is less of me and more of Him. We must die to self daily - Luke 9:23-25 and seek His truths for our lives - not what makes the most sense because others are doing it too. Like reading books that don't honor Him or fill our mind with the thoughts He wishes for us. Or like watching TV shows the world says are OK. This is not legalism either - this is the very heart of God. He wants the best for us - not second best and He knows we will miss the mark. Not one of us can touch His righteousness in ourselves - that is what the Christian life is really about. Not I, BUT Christ. It is about what He wants for us and says is good for us to do and see. Not what we may believe.
This is where the rubber meets the road of our beliefs - are we walking by faith or feelings? Without faith it is impossible to please Him.
God says if we stumble our brothers or anyone in the world it is a sin against Him. We have to bring every thought captive and through the funnel of His word. Because it is the ONLY truth. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Anything else is death to our Spirits and hearts - because once again He says - no one can serve two masters. Anyone that loves the world does not love Him.
We will all stand before Him one day and that thought is where I believe live out your faith with fear and trembling comes to life for me daily!
We have the SON of God living inside of us and the Holy Spirit to enable us to make the best choices to bring honor and glory for our Father.
Will we still make mistakes? YOU bet! That is how we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
But we must be as Jesus asks - now that He has healed us sin no more. That doesn't give us the right to do what we want and then come to His feet to be forgiven when we know that what we are doing is NOT going to bring honor and glory to Him.
Lord, please speak your truths to our hearts about honoring you in all that we do and say.
God bless,
Jill
I like this song - such a great message.
Boy I'm sure glad I waan't one of the names you didn't mention. LOL!!
Seriously, I loved this post. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I need to be reminded to extend grace more than I would like to admit.
Love ya! (even when you stumble :P) You got a little mention on my blog today.
HaHaHa!! We were visiting each other at the same time. Great minds think alike! :)
Wow, good post. I'm guilty of both judging and being judged. It can be difficult. We have this freedom linked with responsibility.
It just goes to show that everything we do and say counts for something.
Hopefully something good. :-)
As usual you nailed "it." It's just what we need to hear. I'm so aware of all that I don't have "right" that could bother people (like my cluttering) that I always tell Bible students, proteges, etc. early on with me at the lead that I will probably do something that is so less than perfect right off the bat.
Misty eyed they look up at me, "Oh, no you won't do anything that will disappoint me." I assure them I won't intend to, but I will.
I'm convinced leaders are responsible for alerting followers of their human-ness. The one to be worshipped is Jesus Christ...God Almighty. We are but arrows pointing the way to THE WAY.
You make my day!!!
Hey, Kelly!
Loved this post! That's one of my favorite songs.
We all stumble--many times a day for me! But thankfully the grace and mercy of God have me pull myself up and continue my walk.
Love ya,
Susan
That has always been one of my favorite songs.
Great song and awesome discussion. To me...what it all boils down to at the end of the day...did I glorify God in all my actions? Yes, people are watching me and I may be the only "Christ" they ever see, so what I do as I live Christ each day matters. But when they see me stumble, because I am human, and then allow Christ to pick me back up and restor our fellowship...they will see that too. Just because our non-Christian friends expect us to be perfect, doesn't mean that we will...we are all sinners, but I'm a saved sinner, showing the other hungry souls where to find the Bread.
Surely you aren't speaking to me! (And STOP calling me Shirley!)
I am so sorry. I didn't mean to put pressure on you or make you out to be something that you are not. I do tend to judge people though and it is something that I work on daily to quit doing. I don't think you are perfect but I do think you are headed in the right direction and I am just wanting to tag along.
See what I mean about being a big jerk?!? I was so totally teasing Greg & ADHD Me.
You guys are my bloggy family - I was just trying to be funny while still teaching.
:P
Oh Kelly, I think this is such a great post! Yes, we stumble. And it's got to be OK. I think I wrestle with this whole concept, though, more than I should. I am who I am. I try not to do things that would cause people to stumble, but sometimes I know I fail. And sometimes what is an "issue" for someone else is simply not an issue for me. It's such a delicate balance.
Thanks for the reminder of this beautiful song!
Hugs,
Susan
Don't you hate when you have to explain how you were being funny? It just zaps all the funny out of it. LOL!
What Nativity Quiz??? LOL
Hi, CK.
I just did the drawing for the Dream Calendar, and I picked you!
Email me your mailing address and I'll get it to you. *grin*
One of my favorite books is "The Ragamuffin Gospel" - I've probably mentioned it before. I'm so thankful for the grace of God. I want to be real- not perfect - while pressing on toward the mark...
I know, silly.
We have had this conversation before. I don't expect you to be perfect....I just expect you to be as perfect as humanly possible...KIDDING!
I'm just proud of you.
hey CK we won the dream calendar contest!! Go check out irritable mothers latest post!
We won!
We Won!!
Imagine the kid with the grazed knees and bruised legs...thats me...I've made a career out of stumbling, kicking myself, getting up, stumbling again.
Im so very thankful that i have friends like you guys to keep me going and administer spiritual bandaids!
Kelly, you are right on target here! It is through how God uses our brokenness and flaws that speaks volumes about how big and how gracious He is.
I think it's pretty dangerous to assume or presume that someone is "not a "good" Christian" based on external things or things we don't know the whole story about.
I stumble daily and my prayer is that others who see me when I do say, "What a wonderful God" this woman loves.
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