Having a personal revelation time here. Just finished reading Anne Lamott's book Blue Shoe, and while I really enjoyed it, am mildly shocked at how much swearing goes on in it. Lots. But, at the same time, there were things in it that rang so true in regards to God's grace. It caused me to remember that all Christians aren't squeaky clean, and that my personal belief system is oftentimes unrealistic. I can easily be judgmental, putting folks in boxes.
For the longest time, I've believed that when a person accepts Christ, that they undergo a metamorphosis so that we're more alike---me and them. Arrogant, huh? To me (well, up until this weekend), I've thought that believers would give up bad habits, clean up their language and be legalistic (that would be me). I've got legalism nailed down tight. It feels good to be better than anyone else, you know?!??! The truth is, though, that some folks, while they have a heart change, remain the same in many ways, and that doesn't always include squeaky-clean-ness.
It was like a breath of fresh air to read this book. Profanity aside, that is. :) One of my brothers asked me awhile back if I read Lamott, and I self-righteously made a comment about her language. He laughed. He knew already what I'm just learning.
Folks are sinful, period. Yeah, me too. But I've made myself comfortable thinking that, well, I don't swear or cheat on my husband, or steal, etc. But my problem has involved me being more of a Pharisee that I need to be. To set myself and other Christians up on pedestals is just pathetic. Here's a neat quote in the book:
Isn't that just cool? Besides, I've always loved the stories about David in the Bible. My goodness. Talk about someone who continued to mess up, and still, God showed such love by including David in Jesus' lineage. Amazing love, that's what that is. He knows we'll mess up all the time, and still, we're of use to Him.
For the longest time, I've believed that when a person accepts Christ, that they undergo a metamorphosis so that we're more alike---me and them. Arrogant, huh? To me (well, up until this weekend), I've thought that believers would give up bad habits, clean up their language and be legalistic (that would be me). I've got legalism nailed down tight. It feels good to be better than anyone else, you know?!??! The truth is, though, that some folks, while they have a heart change, remain the same in many ways, and that doesn't always include squeaky-clean-ness.
It was like a breath of fresh air to read this book. Profanity aside, that is. :) One of my brothers asked me awhile back if I read Lamott, and I self-righteously made a comment about her language. He laughed. He knew already what I'm just learning.
Folks are sinful, period. Yeah, me too. But I've made myself comfortable thinking that, well, I don't swear or cheat on my husband, or steal, etc. But my problem has involved me being more of a Pharisee that I need to be. To set myself and other Christians up on pedestals is just pathetic. Here's a neat quote in the book:
"I'll tell you what's most amazing to me," the pastor said. "That Jesus comes to people like us. Cowards, liars---even mother-mockers! And entrusts us with the Kingdom of God, with carrying a message of peace. We get that peace too, when we surrender to the horrible belief that God loves us anyway."
Isn't that just cool? Besides, I've always loved the stories about David in the Bible. My goodness. Talk about someone who continued to mess up, and still, God showed such love by including David in Jesus' lineage. Amazing love, that's what that is. He knows we'll mess up all the time, and still, we're of use to Him.
