"Christianese"

Christianese...

Do you speak it? 

Today I came across an article that not only made our entire office laugh hysterically, but also, made a point. It is from an article in Relevant magazine called: "20 Christianese Phrases We Really Need To Stop Saying" by John Acuff. 

This one REALLY got me:

Just Sayin'
"Christians use this phrase as a "Get out of jail free card. We write the most vile, bitter statement and then punctuate  it with "just sayin'," as if it makes the rest of it invisible  It didn't. We still saw what you wrote. You know who would have loved this phrase in the Bible? The Pharisees. Can't you see them saying to Jesus, "Whoa, Jesus, you healed a guy. That's great. Healing is awesome. It IS the Sabbath though. Just sayin'." If we only retire one phrase on this list, I hope it is this one." (John Acuff)

Isn't that so good? Good and uncomfortably true. It made me think, along with all the other "Christianese" phrases, how many things I allow to come out of my mouth so thoughtlessly, without thinking about it. Not even just "Christianese" but full on gossip?! Or rudeness? 

My younger brother hasn't quite caught onto the fact that "Just kidding" doesn't make a variety of ornery behaviors "okay". Despite my best efforts to explain this to him multiple times, he is still under the happy delusion that "Just Kidding!" is a hallpass for... anything! Haha... But seriously, I wonder how many times we as "adults" are guilty of the exact same behaviors. I KNOW I am. Maybe we are a little better as disguising it than a small boy, but still... it's definitely a thought that has me challenged! 

"Even a FOOL who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." -Proverbs 17:28 

BOOM. Here's to keeping my mouth shut! 

Think before you speak. THINK before you speak. Think BEFORE you speak... 

Just sayin'. 

          

people > tasks

Lately I have been wrestling through a few challenges... some growing pains. I love it that God loves me enough to convict me and change me - but the process is often painful... as well as exciting! And although i have by NO MEANS learned this lesson, I have a feeling I am not the only one who might be able to identify...

One of my greatest strengths is that I am a hard worker... I am very task oriented and conscious of what my responsibilities are and love to wholeheartedly dive into them! And ironically, I have often immaturely prided myself on my hard work ethic... ;) (Keeping it real here friends...)

The huge downside to this tendency is that I often view interruptions to my schedule as inconvenient and totally unwanted, and often struggle with feeling irritated and impatient when my plan is thrown off, when I feel like I lose my rhythm in the middle of a big project.

But in fact, those interruptions are almost always represented by people. People who are precious in God's sight and who should be valued MORE than I value my precious time and my important tasks.

I have been convicted by this as I think back on my day at times and wonder what did I get done?! I like to break out the measuring stick, to cross things off my list. But you cannot "measure" people. You cannot "cross them off the list" as finished.

This has been something God has been stirring in my heart for a while now, and then I was HUGELY convicted at a Beth Moore DVD bible study last week. Beth talked about the famous chapter from 1 Corinthians 13... "If I have not love, I am NOTHING."

And I have heard and read this chapter so. many. times.

But this time, it HIT ME. Even if I serve the LORD with my "git'r done" attitude and get THINGS DONE (good things!) for Him, but don't treat the people along the way with love - I may as well have done nothing. All of that hard work, those things I think are soooooo important are nothing if I can't lovingly welcome each interruption (person!) along the way.. And instead of viewing people as a distraction from the tasks I have to get done, to view people as MORE important, MORE valuable than my to-do list. That is what is most important in God's eyes.

So this is the prayer of my heart - that I would be SO FILLED with God's love that I would love people well. That I would someday learn to welcome, and even invite the unplanned interruptions and to handle with love and grace the unexpected. And no, I am not there yet, but am peacefully trusting God for HIS strength in MY weakness. 

xoxo

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 

1 Corinthians 13:2 

inconsistency and grace... and making missteaks

Sometimes, I think about blogging, and then look back over my inconsistent blogging track record and think... no, oh nope. Don't do it unless you are going to STICK TO IT, A-man-duh. Make a blogging schedule and... blah blah blah. And then I scare myself away from relaxing, enjoying the process, and typing out a few thoughts.

And so, I don't do it, because there is a darn good chance I won't do it perfectly-always-forever! So what if it's only a blog post every three months? THAT IS OKAY. The moment I start putting pressure on myself to perfect and formula-ize (is that a word?!) something, to make a plan to be the best-amazing-talented-consistent (insert blank) EVER, odds are I won't enjoy the process OR I won't do it at all.

Truth is, you are never going to be a star athlete, a great photographer, a world-changing disciple of Jesus if you don't start somewhere, and be willing to throw pride and expectation of instant PERFECTION to the side. Be willing to be a learner who enjoys the process and who probably will make mistakes.

Or, as I saw recently on Pinterest: "Be willing to make missteaks."

So PRAISE God He doesn't leave us the self-centered, pride-filled, bound by the pursuit of perfection people that we are. Praise Him that He loves us enough to change us, and to pour grace over each of us in the process.

I am blogging today simply to say: don't let your pride stop you from experiencing the abundant life God has for you! LET'S MAKE MISSTEAKS! Anyone with me on this one?

Maybe I will be back soon... with more emo selfies! Ha. And maybe I won't. And I am alright with that!

Okay, let's be real... sort of alright with it. Trying to be!



Ps. Thank you for reading this little rant to myself. You are a trooper.