Rainbows and Butterflies

I normally enjoy Christian radio. Most of the songs are uplifting (even if they do sound very similar) and help me to focus my thoughts. Every once and a while, I'll get sick of it and not listen for a few weeks. Mostly because I get tired of all the songs being just about love. Allow me to explain:

Salvation is only possible through the love and grace of God.

Salvation came to this Earth in the form of sacrifice; complete and total self sacrifice, the kind of sacrifice that hurts.

I believe that too many people think that once they become a Christian, the world will be filled with rainbows and butterflies. Of course the joy from setting your soul right is overwhelming, but this physical life will not suddenly empty of its pain, suffering or hardships. It actually gets harder. Now you have the entire world and all its sin to resist. To be a Christian means sacrificing the things of the world so we may have eternal life.

An example from my own life; Jeffrey and I recently purged our DVD collection and threw out those raunchy or violent movies that we enjoyed, but knew were movies we didn't need to be watching. This also extended into our theater and renting choices. We sacrificed sinful pleasure in order to help us keep our thoughts more pure. That was pretty easy though.

 There is always that one sin that seems to live in our bones, that one the we can't or won't let go of. I struggle with greed, which branches out into many different thoughts and actions that pushes God off my priority list. It makes me selfish, jealous, money-minded and unhappy. I can't seem to fully convince myself that contentment is the way to live and I struggle with it daily. It reminds me of a passage in Mark 10:19-22 "19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

This young man had the zeal and the desire to follow Jesus but his stuff kept him from it. Don't dog on this guy, because we are all in this boat at some point. It's a lot to ask of someone to get rid of everything and be a Christian. It's a lot to continue to not have everything and be a Christian.

There are many days where I have to constantly remind myself that it is worth it. There are many days where I still feel temptation to go back to the way things were.

But then I remember that God has promised to help me.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Philippians 4:13 "13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

There are also examples of those that sacrificed everything and God used them for tremendous things.

Hebrews 11:24-27 "24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible."

So guess what? The sacrifice is worth it. It's worth everything you gave up and everything you will continue to give up. Then what happens? People take notice. You are now a shining light, an example of Christ. Someone will be uplifted or even lead to Christ because of how you live your life. An example of this can be found in 1 Peter 3:1-2 "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear."

A Christian lifestyle has many blessings in this lifetime. Peace, comfort, security and purpose. And in the end, when you and those you love, those you have influenced, those who found Christ because of you, will find eternal rest and joy.

Everyone gets tired. God will give you strength. God will reward you.