One more label?

Over the past year I have been reading some great books such as "Radical" (and "Radical Together"), "Crazy Love", "Experiencing the Holy Spirit", "The Heavenly Man", and "The Spirit-Filled Life". One theme seems to stick out in all of them. What does it mean to be "Christian"? Is it a label we add to others, like American, White, Black, Asian, Accountant, Banker, Mechanic, College Graduate, Parent, Musician, Runner, Golfer, Neighbor, Gardener, Coffee Drinker, Friend?
I really don't like the word "Christian" because it has lost its true meaning and seems to be just another title or label with little or no meaning anymore. So many people call themselves by that name and have no relationship or knowledge of Christ at all.
At one point I liked "Jesus Freak" better - it designated a deeper commitment, a more radical stance than simply another label to slap on to our bumpers or facebook pages. There is a series of books entitled "Jesus Freaks" and I certainly don't qualify to stand alongside these amazing martyrs so I dropped that potential label.
What about "Jesus Follower"? Closer. But I do more than follow Jesus. I try to yield to and obey Him (although I do it pretty poorly) in every aspect, learning more of Him and His Way each day. Blind followers do not think and question and seek but true believers in Jesus Christ, the Messiah and King of Kings are told to do just that.
"Jesus Imitator" would be a great label, but would be a falsehood to where I stand and would seem to indicate that somehow my efforts bring me closer to Christ, when it is in Him and through Him that any growth can happen. "Under His Wings" is one I really like, because that is usually how I make it through each day. Yep, I think that one is the closest to any "label" I would like to wear. Under the Wings of the One who created me, loves me and keeps every molecule in its place in this vast universe. Pretty amazing that He calls me to come and allows me in my pitiful state to call on Him. Even more unbelievable is that He loves and forgives me when He knows the deep wickedness of my heart. But that's who HE is and so for now that is the "label" I choose if I have to do so. May you reside under His wings, too, and there find that it is a peaceful, joyful, satisfying thing to be there under the Wings of the One who loves you beyond the ability of all human love, even beyond our understanding of love. Oh praise Him!

Have you been purged?

Where do I begin to tell of what God has been teaching me lately? I think it begins with a question for all of us - what do I cling to? Let me think honestly, genuinely, what I have clung to over the years - money, home, job, dreams of a future where everyone lives "happily ever after", praise of others, spouse, children, physical looks, mental abilities, health, ......... And what has happened in the past few years? Many of us have been forced to come face to face with the insufficiency of these things. Parents have died, even some of my loved ones have lost children to physical death, spouses have left the home, many have lost jobs and homes and the self-esteem tied to them, savings and "security". Others have faced very difficult losses of health, broken engagements, broken church bodies, broken promises, broken hopes and dreams. So where is God in all of this? Everywhere I look either a friend, relative or I personally am experiencing pain and loss in each of these things. And do you know what? I can see God's love and hand clearer now than ever before. Because the love of God shines brightest when we hurt, if we will but take our eyes off ourselves or our precious "treasures". We give ourselves more fully to the One in charge when we finally face the fact that we are not in charge! Oh, what joy and peace comes with the pain of purging our tight grip on our "treasures"! Oh, how we can love on each other during hard times when we know Who is standing at the door of our hearts with the tissues and bandaids that will comfort those broken pieces left of our lives. Easy? Oh, no! My flesh and selfish ways want to scream at God that He does not need to allow these things. But without them so many of us would go on blindly and stubbornly stumbling through the world thinking it was all in our control. Thank you, Lord that it is not! When you cannot see God for the tears in your soul, feel Him in your heart. He is faithful. Always. Always.

"Death -
Death can be faced,
dealt with,
adjusted to,
outlived.
It's the
not knowing
that destroys
interminably...
This
being suspended
in suspense;
waiting - weightless,
How does one face
the faceless,
adjust to nothing?
Waiting implies
something to wait for.
Is there?
There is One.
One who knows...
I rest my soul on that."
— Ruth Bell Graham