Saturday, May 30, 2009

The effects of being a Christian

I write articles on Helium. I like the site, there are always interesting titles. There is a Marketplace where I can compete for money, and the opportunity to be published beyond the Internet. I have had some of my poems published, I write at other sites. I, like so many others, am working on a book, and have hopes of eventually supporting myself this way. But in the meantime, I work in accounting. Not a bad profession, not as boring as everyone jokes about.

My brother’s favorite joke: “Did you hear the one about the accountant who walked into a party and was so boring, the other accountants noticed?”

HA!

Today I had an email from a fellow writer on Helium. She stated she was a “happy heathen” and had some objections to my Christian undertones in my article. I was very pleased, actually. I am a Christian, and live my life according to the Word, the Bible. I don’t profess to be perfect, have all the answers, or have “arrived”. I am just a bozo on the bus, but I am a believer, and I am happy. To know that even my “unchristian” writings reflect who I am is a high compliment to me.

I wonder sometimes why people are so offended by Christianity. If they don’t believe in God, Jesus, or any of the principles, why should they care if I do? I don’t mind if they don’t share my beliefs. Some Christians might think that is awful, but I have considered this for a while.

Tell me, as Jesus walked among men, when did He have a screaming match with someone who refused to believe in Him? Well, once at the temple, when the temple courtyard was set up like a marketplace, with people selling sacrificial lambs, holy garments and other articles of prayer and worship, because they had turned the Holy Temple of worship into a place for gain. But, other than that, He lived the life, talked the talk and walked the walk.

Jesus offered hope. I took that hope. I thrive on it. When He met Peter at the dock, Jesus said, “come with me, and I will make you fishers of men”. He kept on walking, and Peter followed. Jesus didn’t beat Peter over the head. Jesus offered life. Peter took it.

Peter is my favorite. He reminds me of myself. Peter stumbled, he fell, and he got back up. He just kept following Jesus.

That’s what I do. When I write, my beliefs come through. That’s what Christianity is about. Passing it forward.