It's almost time of a new year to begin and, as usual, I am home contemplating this past one. At the beginning of the year, I challenged myself to be the most genuine version of myself possible. Hand in hand with that, in the beginning weeks of 2012, my pastor challenged our fellowship to focus this past year on "freedom". He asked us each to think about what we need freedom FROM. The thought immediately crossed my mind that I wanted to be "free of expectations". What does this mean?
When I think about being free of expectations I think of all the pressures that we put upon ourselves to fit in, to be "normal" and to be seen as "excellent".
When I was growing up it was critical that we appear, from all outward appearances, to be a "good Christian family". Which, according to my parents and, by extension, their church, meant that we attended most church functions, dressed up for church, never raised our hands in worship or clapped, never watched sitcoms, constantly put ourselves down and maintained (above all) the appearance that we were always happy. It was exhausting. And that is what I think about some of the expectations that some churches place on their congregation. Exhausting!
Being who I am, I rebelled. If someone asked me how I was doing, I TOLD them. The truth. It made waves let me tell you. It simply wasn't done there. You wouldn't really open up to people, you had to keep the facade going that everything was great and wonderful even if you were struggling. I read recently about the times in our country, post WWII, when there was much emphasis on maintain a Stepford-wife-like happiness and perfect outer image. Sadly, this perception has clung in churches today to the detriment of the members and our witness.
News flash! Jesus was not happy all the time. He didn't run, leaping for joy to the cross. Did that mean that he was less than he should be? Absolutely not! I am happy that we have a Savior that embraced all kinds of people and showed the entire range of emotions. I would find it hard to identify with a God who is always happy. I need more than that from him and He expects more than that from me. It is good to be righteously angry sometimes. It is good to feel sorrow and loss because it shows that we have truly loved.
I don't want to be a Christian clone. I want to be a real person. Someone who shows those around me what it looks like to have a real relationship with God with all of my being. To exemplify what Christ can do in a heart and with a life that is radically devoted to his true purposes. If you are a Christian clone, you may not realize it, but my challenge to you (and really to all) is to be more of yourself this year. Be who God made you to be! Stop insulting his divine design through which he fashioned you by pretending to be what others expect of you. If you are lucky, as I am, you will belong to a fellowship that takes you as you are and lets your individuality shine. If you are not.......... look where you are for a new church home or come by Hillside Christian Fellowship (122nd and Sunnyside) Sundays at 10 AM and see what a genuine group of people following the Lord with passionate fire looks like. It may just take you out of your comfort zone. It may just change your life.
[I do feel the need to give you fair warning though that your former fellow clones may not take well to this. They may feel as though you are leaving the faith behind. Look to the Lord always for he will not be steering you wrong. On the other hand, you may be pleasantly surprised that those expectations you thought others had of you were really only in your head, not theirs. What do you have to lose?]
Remember, God didn't make us all different and grant us different gifts so that we could act the same. He created you with a unique purpose that he tailor-made for you. Are you fulfilling it? Do you even know what it is? I invite you this year to embrace who God truly made you to be and find out. Give it a whirl and see what glorious things God brings about within you.
When I think about being free of expectations I think of all the pressures that we put upon ourselves to fit in, to be "normal" and to be seen as "excellent".
When I was growing up it was critical that we appear, from all outward appearances, to be a "good Christian family". Which, according to my parents and, by extension, their church, meant that we attended most church functions, dressed up for church, never raised our hands in worship or clapped, never watched sitcoms, constantly put ourselves down and maintained (above all) the appearance that we were always happy. It was exhausting. And that is what I think about some of the expectations that some churches place on their congregation. Exhausting!
Being who I am, I rebelled. If someone asked me how I was doing, I TOLD them. The truth. It made waves let me tell you. It simply wasn't done there. You wouldn't really open up to people, you had to keep the facade going that everything was great and wonderful even if you were struggling. I read recently about the times in our country, post WWII, when there was much emphasis on maintain a Stepford-wife-like happiness and perfect outer image. Sadly, this perception has clung in churches today to the detriment of the members and our witness.
News flash! Jesus was not happy all the time. He didn't run, leaping for joy to the cross. Did that mean that he was less than he should be? Absolutely not! I am happy that we have a Savior that embraced all kinds of people and showed the entire range of emotions. I would find it hard to identify with a God who is always happy. I need more than that from him and He expects more than that from me. It is good to be righteously angry sometimes. It is good to feel sorrow and loss because it shows that we have truly loved.
I don't want to be a Christian clone. I want to be a real person. Someone who shows those around me what it looks like to have a real relationship with God with all of my being. To exemplify what Christ can do in a heart and with a life that is radically devoted to his true purposes. If you are a Christian clone, you may not realize it, but my challenge to you (and really to all) is to be more of yourself this year. Be who God made you to be! Stop insulting his divine design through which he fashioned you by pretending to be what others expect of you. If you are lucky, as I am, you will belong to a fellowship that takes you as you are and lets your individuality shine. If you are not.......... look where you are for a new church home or come by Hillside Christian Fellowship (122nd and Sunnyside) Sundays at 10 AM and see what a genuine group of people following the Lord with passionate fire looks like. It may just take you out of your comfort zone. It may just change your life.
[I do feel the need to give you fair warning though that your former fellow clones may not take well to this. They may feel as though you are leaving the faith behind. Look to the Lord always for he will not be steering you wrong. On the other hand, you may be pleasantly surprised that those expectations you thought others had of you were really only in your head, not theirs. What do you have to lose?]
Remember, God didn't make us all different and grant us different gifts so that we could act the same. He created you with a unique purpose that he tailor-made for you. Are you fulfilling it? Do you even know what it is? I invite you this year to embrace who God truly made you to be and find out. Give it a whirl and see what glorious things God brings about within you.
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