If Only We Could Love Him More...!
I love Mutts comics - a lot of what Patrick McDonnell expresses through his characters, Earl and Mooch, expresses what I would like to feel in (and about!) life. One comic shown at the end of December made me think - in the above comic, Earl is reviewing his New Years Resolutions and had resolved to love his owner, Ozzie, even more than he does now. "Impossible." is his reply.
Wouldn't it be great if we could answer that when suggested to "Love Christ even more"? Earl's complete devotion and complete trust in Ozzie is something that I wish that everyone could experience with their love in Christ. If you've read more of the Mutts Comics, you can see that Earl is far from a perfect little doggie, much like we are sons and daughters of God. Sometimes Earl doesn't listen to Ozzie, sometimes he wanders from him, other times he'll do something that he knows Ozzie would not like...summed up, Earl is imperfect, as we are imperfect...but no matter what he does, Ozzie will forgive him, and love him unconditionally, just as God forgives us and loves us unconditionally! God's love for us is so great! It makes me feel happy like a warm little puppy!
If Only It Were That Simple...
Unfortunately,
it seems that it's hard for people to trust and to love God - not
because they don't want to, but because sometimes, they are too sure of
themselves and their beliefs to humble themselves before God, others
are believe that they need to prove themselves to God and to do good
things for Him to accept them, some just have a hard time understanding
why God would love us and thus cannot love Him back.
One of my coworkers (and friend!) is finding herself caught in situation where she's not necessarily losing faith in God--but doesn't know what to do about her relationship with Him. It all stemmed from trying to start a new relationship with a great guy (isn't it always?). Both she and this beau genuinely enjoy each other's company...there are a lot of qualities that they see in each other which they love - but there are few obstacles that are obstructing the relationship from blossoming - one of which is the religion card. While my coworker is a good Catholic, her beau is Christian and is pressuring her to convert to Christianity. She is feeling conflicted at this time because her family wants her to stay a Catholic, while her beau and his family wants her to convert to a Christian. Her main problem is not the conversion, per se...but it's the urgency that individuals are placing on her that's causing her some strife.
I could completely relate with her dilemma...when Dan first asked me out, I was lukewarm in my faith, and he was uncertain if going out with me would be the best move. My conversion came much later in our relationship - I do know he and his family was praying for me - and I'm very happy they did. But could I say it was them who converted me...? No. They definitely helped - but only God could change my heart...I am glad that He sent them to help move me along, though.
For my coworker, I could only tell her that she should convert when and if she is prepared for it - her relationship with God should not be based on someone else telling her to convert or not. While I'm not a scholar as to why one should or should not be Christian, I believe that despite the titles, the added rituals, and so forth that we should not judge other people - we are all sinners! While I would like all people to belive in God and to become Christians, I also believe that God will open their hearts at the time that is right for them. All we can do is answer people's questions honestly, provide support, and pray that in time, they too will come to Christ openly and wholeheartedly.
While I would like everyone to be a Christian, I acknowledge that people will come to Him in their own time--here are a few universal truths that each should know:
1. God loves us and offers a great plan for our lives.
God created us and loves us so much that he wants to spend eternity with us. Jesus said: "For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who
believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Jesus came so that everyone one of us could know and understand God in
a personal way. Only He can bring meaning and purpose to our lives.
2. All of us are sinful and separated from God. Therefore, we cannot know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.
We need Jesus. Deep down, our attitudes towards God may be one of active rebellion or passive indifference. "All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way"
(Isaiah 53:6). The result of our sin in our lives is spiritual
separation from God (see Romans 6:23). Although we may try to reach
God through our own good efforts, we will ultimately fail. "...all fall short of God's glorious standard" (Romans 3:23). But we should not lose faith!
3. Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through Him we can know and experience God's love and plan for our life.
Jesus
Christ is God's solution to our imperfections. Because Christ died for
us, our sin does not separate us from God any longer. "For Christ also died for sins once and for all, the jsut for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God"
(1Peter 3:18). Instead of trying harder to reach God, we simply need
to confess our sinfulness and accept Jesus and his sacrifice as the one
way to God. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He also stated "I
am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though
they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal
life for believing in me and will never perish" (John 11:25-26).
Knowing God's plan and purpose isn't enough for us - we need to
consciously accept Jesus into our lives and acknowledge the sacrifice
He made for us.
4. We must individually accept Christ our Savior and Lord - only then can we know and experience God's love and plan for our life.
"But to all who believed in him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). The Bible also says, "God
saved you by his special favour when you believed. And you can't take
credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for
the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it"
(Ephesians 2:8,9). Accepting Jesus means that we must believe Jesus is
the Son of God, then we should invite him to guide and direct our lives.
If you sincerely ask Jesus to come into your life, then he has come into your life as he promised.
I
do believe my coworker has a great love for Christ. When you are
ready, I'll be there to cheer you! And if you need more time to sort
things out - I'll still be around to cheer you on! Your life has been
hectic lately...and the changes in your life may seem daunting. But I
know you love God and have a relationship with Him...pray and He'll
provide you answers and will give you the support you've been looking
for. You're in my prayers too, lady! 
Cheers!
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