Switching It Up...

So I know I was going to talk about cowardism... but i'm being led in a different direction!


Today I watched a movie known as "The Lottery" (and no, i'm not talking about the two minute lotto picks at the end of the News). In the movie, the whole town believes in this "lotto" idea. Every year they hold a town "lotto" and who ever is chosen... is stoned to death... which in turn God "blesses" their sacrifice with a thriving community. There's a lot of minor plotting, but you get the main idea. So all-in-all, although the movie is somewhat repugnant, the underlying theme is about tradition. It was originally a book, the author wanted to express how outlandish our traditions in society can get... AND ITS TRUE!

Okay so i'm going to segue-way for a second... but I promise I will return for the relevance of the movie...

So as I was driving to St. Louis this afternoon, I was preparing for my "video interview" for a series we're going through about taking steps toward God. So I was practicing my "story", you know the one where you talk about the before's and after's of being a Christ follower, and the strangest thought came over me. What if they ask me my favorite bible verse? And you're thinking... why would they ask her about her favorite bible verse when she's shooting a video about her "story"? That's just how my brain works. So I was going through my head and thinking... I don't really know a whole bunch of bible verses... or I do... and I have NO idea where in the bible they came from! So I started panicking... trying to think of some clever bible verse that will make it seem like i've actually been a Christian for the past 10 years...

At that point I believe is when God was looking at me slowly shaking His head in silent laughter... as if He hasn't taught me anything. It's not the words or the Bible verses that make me a Christian. Then I started having an argument in my head about the importance of Bible verses in today's culture. Here's what I've learned:

-One. You don't have to know the Bible cover-to-cover to be a Christian.

-Two. When you're talking about God with a non-believer it's probably best to leave the thou
shalt's and thou shalt-not's at home.

-Three. It's good to be armed with the word of God, but you can lead someone to Christ without
even pulling out a Bible.

Here's where the tradition comes in. Sometimes we get caught up in this "religion thing", and it can hinder God's work just as much as it can help it. Yes, don't get me wrong... it is GREAT to memorize bible verses... it can be your sword in battle especially when someone is trying to test your faith. But there's another point i'm trying to make. I've seen it plenty of times, new Christian questioning their roll or their purpose in life seeks a new Christian and is... "scripturized." Maybe they're questioning their sexuality, well you can either whip out the Old and New Testament and read to them why its a HUGE sin and what a BIG mistake... or you can listen, share stories, love on them. Then if they're still interested share a passage... or recommend a book. The only reason I choose this example is because I've seen it happen. Seeker searching for love, love in action, not a love from a book written by some guys that they don't even know or grasp yet. They need love now in a way that the action SHOWS Gods love.

So as I pondered the entire "mind argument" thing I was working on I realized that I don't have to have a favorite verse or chapter anything. If I have one great... but since I didn't it's fine. I don't have to know the Bible word-for-word to be a Christian.... and God still loves us anyways.

So I ask... Are you getting caught up in all these words that your actions no longer show Gods love?