I've Been Given Much

Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. 

Luke 12:48

I have been wrestling with where I stand in my relationship with Christ and how that reflects through my life and the people around me. I am a constant work in progress and despite my many failures, He never gives up on me. I don't think as Christians that there ever comes a point where you should feel as though you have finished the race for to whom much was given, much will be required. Everything in this comfortable little life of mine was given to me by a Savior who loved me enough to die on a cross for me and in return I should spend all of my days yearning to know him more and to share his love with others.

What does this mean? It means that it is not okay for me to simply go through the motions, going to church on Sunday and walking out the door and going through the rest of the week as I please. As I have learned to really study the bible the last few months I have realized how much I let people, relationships, jobs, circumstances and past experiences shape my faith. The truth is, when all of that is peeled away, there is me and there is God. Period. And I could not be more thankful for that. 


If we always count on other people to bring us closer to God, it will never happen and we will always feel a thirst that can't be satisfied. If we keep telling ourselves that one more bible study, one more podcast, a better church, better friends, more stable finances and perhaps going to church twice a week instead of once will solve all of our problems then we will always be grasping for things we can never reach on our own. Building a relationship with our Father begins with an inward longing to know him and the only way to truly know him is to spend time with him. John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The word is God. The bible is not just a book of stories. It is one amazing story of redemption.

I wear my heart on my sleeve and I have always struggled with being hurt by others and how I respond to that, especially those closest to me. Your husband, your family, your closest friends...they will all disappoint you at times. However, I am not perfect and I can't expect anyone else to be.  I do know that these people have been purposely placed in my path and my response can either point them to Jesus or make them think I'm a hypocrite. I cringe at the thought of how many times I have screwed this up. Sometimes it is hard to love these people, but to whom much was given, much will be required. So, I try harder, dig deeper and know that to be the hands of feet of Jesus I have to trust that he is leading me exactly where I'm supposed to go. And honestly, it is comforting to know that I am never alone in the battle. He is always there. Always on time. Never disappoints. I can only hope that I can reflect that kind of love in return to those around me.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45

I recently read Interrupted by the lovely Jen Hatmaker and it was another kick in the pants for me.  I could literally quote this entire book, so I just encourage you to read it. It is a beautiful picture of humility and seeking the kingdom while serving the least of these (Matthew 25:31-46). It is about casting out your own desires for wealth and recognition and finding your worth in him alone. When you are able to do this, life becomes simple. He is always enough. I needed to be reminded of that.

Living on mission goes far beyond the "what" and "how" of being sent; it hinges on the "who" of other people. It's about intentionally living the gospel wherever you are. This comes at great cost, but we've seen this posture become a catalyst for genuine life change.

The world is increasingly uninterested in our Christian story. Its current presentation is just not compelling. Most believers who represent it battle boredom and apathy; they are spiritually immature and demonstrate religiosity without transformation. Our faith communities run the gamut from judgmental high church to feel-good talent shows, and people aren't buying anymore. Remarkably, most outsiders are not anti-church; they simply dismiss the church as irrelevant to their real lives since it seems mostly irrelevant to the peple who go there. 

Wow. If that doesn't make you think about how your Christianity affects others, I'm not sure what will. Many of us have it all wrong. A church alone cannot fix this. We must live it out, loving people with a crazy unconditional love and giving them no option but to want more of our Jesus.

I wish I could go back and undo damage that I've already done, but Jesus is always in the details and no matter how bad I mess it up, he picks up the pieces and creates beauty out of brokenness.