rant.

Okay, I gotta get this off my chest...

Why do people have to swear? I know that sounds naive, and I really do understand why. Sometimes the pain that comes from dropping something really heavy on your toe doesn't seem to be covered by a simple "ouch". But I think Christians, and people of influence, and especially people with influence who call themselves Christians need to be careful.

I admit, this is kind of directed to something I saw on Twitter: someone who claimed to be a Christian and who I thought was really cool randomly dropped an f-bomb. Um, what? Really? ...I guess what irks me so much is that blurting something out in the heat of the moment is one thing, but intentionally typing something out is quite another.

I know that swearing does not take away your "Christian card", and it doesn't make God love you any less, but it still bothers me. Maybe because when I see that, I think of this verse: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." (1 Peter 1:15) We all sin, and none of us can be completely holy. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try, that we should just keep sinning because God loves us anyway. ("Why stop sinning, when he keeps forgiving?" If you haven't seen that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOGlSQlMUSA)

Forgive me for ranting, but I think that our words are something we can control, to some extent. Especially our typed words, for goodness' sake. If you speak the same words and use the same vulgar language as the rest of the world, what is going to make you as a Christian any different from the non-believers around you?

Seriously. This doesn't just apply to our words, but all our actions: The church needs to WAKE UP and realize that we are not of the world!! So why do we keep trying? We serve a holy, spotless God: why would we want to imitate the trash of the world??

Argh. Lord, please wake us up.

Looking At The Heart

I know I don't post very often, but usually what happens is, I start writing something, then think it sounds stupid, and give up. It's ridiculous. Does anyone actually read this? Who knows. But even if no one does, my blog is still an encouragement and reminder to me: a place for the better parts of myself to encourage the not-so-great parts of myself when that part seems to be winning out. Does that make sense?

What I want to say today to you, or to me, or whoever, is: stop judging people by the outside. Easier said than done, I know.

But we, or at least I, do it so much without even realizing it, and it's so wrong. I categorize people immediately upon seeing them, and when I categorize, I assume things. That girl's makeup looks good? Obviously, she's secure about herself and I should feel inferior. That guy looks like a "homeschooler"? Obviously, he's socially awkward and needs my help.

Um. Seriously, Katie?

Yes. It's not always that extreme, and I don't always think these things consciously, but I certainly have judged people like that before.

Lord, forgive me. Thinking about this can easily make me depressed, but luckily, God doesn't leave us alone with these kinds of things. He has answers.

1. The first thing we have to realize when we're looking at our own judgmental tendencies (or any sin, actually) is that God loves us in the midst of them. In fact, He forgives us of them. Jesus' blood completely covers our sins, and we are fully forgiven. God is a lot more forgiving, and loving, than we give Him credit for! He doesn't just love us when we're being lovable. He loves us in our worst moments, as well as our best. (After all, what use would His sacrifice be if we were good all the time?)

2. The second thing we have to remember about God is that He understands why we do what we do. (Psalm 33:15 - "He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.") God knows it's hard to be us, and He gets how easy it is to sin. He gets it. Men look at the outside and God looks at the heart, so we should too. But God also knows that looking at someone's heart from the outside is a difficult feat. In fact, it can't be done with our own eyes. So that's why we need God.

In the case of judging people, or any sin, victory can be attained, but it can only be attained with the help of the Holy Spirit. He wants to help us and has all the power to do so; all we have to do is ask! When we do ask, He always answers. Always.

So in the end, I am judgmental. I assume too much. And I think I know people before I actually meet them. But the God I serve looks at the heart, and He truly does know people. Lord, let me see through your eyes! This is my prayer. Is it yours?