Have you ever heard that phrase, "Come to Jesus meeting." It's an odd concept (to me.) People use that phrase to describe somebody feeling convicted or overcoming a "sin" in their life, or I've even heard it used in a very snide fashion "That person needs to have a 'come to Jesus meeting' with the way they are living their life." Basically... it's a phrase we use to condemn other Christians on their walk.
But when Christ talks about people coming to Him it's "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."
I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I don't really know who Christ is. I'm on that journey to discovering God, the real God. Not whatever skewed portrait or version I've been shown up to this point. The real Christ. Give me Jesus.
Friday night I had a meeting with fellow leaders for the college ministry we help run. Our campus minister is very concerned about where we are at spiritually as individuals, which is valid. But the way he is going about is the opposite of gentle. It's the opposite of recognizing we are all individuals with different needs and different struggles. It's the opposite of realizing where our hearts are really at. He wants to lump us all together, convict us, give us things to do so we are better spiritually, and really... that just doesn't jive with me.
Since I began to be open with God about the fact that I'm spiritually dry, I'm not sure why I believe the things I believe, I don't know who He is, and the fact that I really hate all of Christianity's rules, I've been encountering the Christ that beckons me to come to Him as a person who is weary and burdened. There hasn't been condemnation. God doesn't want me to have a "Come to Jesus" meeting as we use the term in today's culture.
Coming to Jesus means coming to a God full of grace, love, compassion, and a desire for us to know Him as He really is.
I'm going to fall at the foot of the cross of that Jesus. And hope for the best. Yeah, I'm going to "Come to Jesus."
I'm back...
7 years ago
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3 comments:
Good post Samantha. And a good reminder that Jesus wants us to simply 'come'.
{hugs}
Well put! I find it interesting when we condemn other Christians (I say w'e' because, well, we all do it to some degree) that we act like they don't know they need to come to Jesus.
I'm a fan of giving folks the benefit of the doubt...that the Spirit is prodding us when we stray. Instead of condemnation, why aren't we the ones leading them to Jesus? Too often, we're on the sidelines pointing them towards something they may not be able to see.
SamanthaMarie, thank you for your comment! You said a lot of things that I really did need to hear.
And if you are in Portland while I am in Portland, we must set aside a Starbucks day, yes? =]
Always,
Ellie Grace
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