Christian.

Before I post my next entry, I want to talk about my most recent post (Christian?). I haven't popped on the site in a while and when I did this morning, I read through that post again. As I did, I noticed something: there's a hint of judgment present. This is never my desire - "Just lest not you be judged". I am no one to judge, it's not my place, my responsibility, my desire or even, ultimately, my ability.
What is humbling about that post is that, in my heart, I had no desire to place judgment and yet - months down the road - when I read it from the outside, I see the undertones. This brings to my attention the fact that I can be judgmental and possibly even hurtful without trying to be. It makes me realize how much I have to rely on Jesus to be like Jesus. Only He can point out to me those little hints and undertones of emotions I never intended to hold in the first place.

I really love the way Father God works... gently and lovingly changing my views... molding my thoughts... growing my understanding. I am seeing more clearly that these two groups I mentioned in my "Christian?" post are possibly just two parts of the body of Christ as opposed to two sides of the fence. Just as we are all called to "one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-5) We are the body of Christ and we are called to be one body. So maybe these two "types" of Christians are really two parts of the body that God uses for different purposes within the body of Christ and to call others to Him.

I realize more and more every day that I know fewer and fewer of the answers. That just means there is so much more growing to do - which is exciting. I love God's gentle reminders to leave judgment and criticism at the door. I am to be clothed in Love because I, also, am covered by His love and saved only by His grace.

Thank you, Jesus.

"I want you to get out there and walk - better yet, run!- on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, on faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift."
Ephesians 4:2-7 (The Message//Remix)