What's that? "Radical???"

I once saw on a blog someone who was struggling with what to write. She battled between what she thought people wanted to read and what was really going through her mind. So she wrote both. I am going to adopt that idea. The text in red is stuff that I typed out....thought about deleting...and then decided: No. This blog is for them to know what I'm really thinking. I'm not going to sugar coat it. So if you don't want to know what's really going on inside....avoid the red at all costs =D

So us "Christians" have heard this term before: Radical. Being Radical, Radical Christians.

I think we (as "Christians") are scared of the word radical. I would even go as far as saying we are scared of radical Christians. Why? I'm not talking about those crazy ones who do illegal stuff to make a point. I'm talking about those who actually live like Christ through their daily lives.

This post is not ... formulated. I'm just rambling about whats on my mind currently. This has been on my mind for quite awhile now.

It all started with a radio show.

It was one of those "1 minute with So and So" types.

The guy started talking about Christmas and what we have turned it into.

The part that got my attention was his comment about gifts.

Why do we give gifts?

Our answer is: "To Bless others around us" or something along those lines.

If we are wanting to Bless someone...why would we only do it on a "national" holiday when everyone else is giving and getting gifts on the very same day? If you see someone in need...would you not bless them immediately? or if you are walking through a store and see something and it makes you say "Oh! So-and-so would LOVE that!" Why not get it for them then?

But really....Christmas is about one thing: The Birth of Christ.

Look what we've turned it into! A month of spending more money than you have, crazy traffic, gifts for people, getting gifts, getting days off work, a slow stop to all businesses (mail takes longer to get places, banks shut down for a couple days, etc). Luckily we have also turned it into: A joyful month, being able to see someones face when they open a gift they love, spending time with family, growing closer to those in your church, refocusing on Jesus and why He did come down to earth for us!

So...to tie in my Radical point here: Think to the holiday, Halloween. Most Christians AVOID it. I know I do! No parties, no dressing up, no excessive candy (I already try to maintain a balanced candy diet :) ). You all know what I'm talking about. We avoid it because its "evil" or because it's not "religious".

Now think about Christmas. Think about the random things we do. the tree, the lights, the gifts, etc. Why do we do that? Where is that in the Bible? What part about that screams "I'm celebrating the Birth of Christ today!"

If we were to really live out a life of Jesus....What would we see in our lives, that is not Christ like and would need to take out of our life?

That's a hard question! Back to the gifts at Christmas. If we were to take out gifts and not do them any more. Wow. That would be "Radical" and wrong. Right? Isn't that what "society" tells us? Isn't that what churches tells us?!

Those are just some of my thoughts. You know how you think about stuff, have to think about it for a long time, then you come to a conclusion. I'm still on the "think about it for a long time" step. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this. Maybe I'm way off! I do that sometimes when I have no one to bounce my thoughts and questions off of =D.

To be honest...I get scared. I am afraid of revealing what society, culture, and the world has ... impressed on me? Not the right phrase...Let me try this one: Have you ever thought about something you read in the Bible, have you ever thought that the way we "interpret" the passage might be incorrect, because of the way the world portrays things to be?

For example (now this is coming from the top of my head, so it's not going to be very developed). "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world." It says plainly there "Do not love the things of the world". I love....jackets! Jackets are my ticket in. If I see an amazing jacket, man, it's hard for me not to buy it! And if I have to clean out my closet and get rid of some...its hard. Does this verse mean that loving jackets is wrong and that I do not have the Father in me?! (scary). Our answer is "As long as your love of the jacket is not above your love for the Lord and it is not getting in the way of your relationship with the Lord". Well it most certainly is not! I love the Lord more than anything in this world, including my husband and even my life! So I'm good, right? Hmm. The verse doesn't say "Do not love the world or the things of this world more than your Father." See what I mean? Think about it. That is what I'm afraid of!

I'm sure these thoughts and questions are another step in my walk with the Lord to grow me and teach me things as I "grow up". I could be way off right now, but one thing I know for sure: God will reveal the truth to me as I dive into His words.