Yesterday, my heart experienced a twinge of pain as someone I used to really look up to disagreed with me that Lady Gaga is an artist whose music is not God-honoring. This was a person who in the past, when we were close, would not have even known who Lady Gaga was, let alone be able to name her songs. It was so disheartening as they continued to discount the good that was done in the past when they had encouraged me to rid myself of the majority of my secular music CDs. The method could have been better but we were both teenagers. We were young and immature both emotionally and spiritually. Still, to this day, despite Satan’s attempts to make me hang onto resentment and bitterness, I can see the good that came of that momentous time.
In several of my blog entries I have touted the importance of not allowing the wrong entertainment into our lives because I know exactly who I become when I let those incorrect media choices join me in my living. This person should have known too but there we sat me baffled and he distant. What happened?
As I have had time to digest, I realize now that this is just another example of how people will continually let you down. There is no one else who is steadfast and strong like Christ. He is constant and consistent. He is an unwavering God, everlasting and His Word is timeless and without flaw. Jesus is the only one who will not let us down. People will. Satan will cause strife. And we will even disappoint ourselves. As much as we endeavor to keep in step with our Savior, we sometimes hit patches that make us fall or slow us down; Those patches that look a lot like Lady Gaga or any other wrong life choices.
This same truth resonates in another problem I have had difficulty with and that is loving the sinner and hating the sin. I cannot even begin to fathom how Christ hung on that cross, bleeding profusely from head to toe, pain seething through every inch of him while a crowd below him cackled and rejoiced in his agonizing and slow death. It was an undeserved death too and yet, despite His ability to call down angels and save Him at any moment, Jesus suffered until he breathed his last on that Calvary cross. How he did this and still thought of me, just another sinner who stuck those nails through his flesh, is beyond me. His love is unfathomable as he speaks “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”. (Luke 23:34)
I watch Christians and those who denounce God-alike, sinning and bringing down harsh judgments upon those who are genuinely practicing their faith (which does not mean they do not sin, just that they are devout in seeking not to and developing his/her relationship with God is the best way). They take a swing at those who take God’s Word as the Truth and call us bigoted and hateful lunatics. I know it is God they are truly spitting on but it is very easy to take it personally when you are being personally attacked for standing firm on God’s principles.
There is nothing wrong with being passionate about what you believe (though there can be something wrong with what you believe). I believe that homosexuality is a sin and do not recognize same-sex marriage as an honorable institution. This alone has garnered a lot of disgust from people who share opposing views. Some of the responses I have had posted on the message board for my Traditional Marriage Center in Metaplace just plain hurt; Some because they are like attacks or are personal and others because of just how misguided these people are. I have visited another world that is set up for LGBT rights from time to time just to see what information is being provided. One of the links really frustrates me. It has a little tooltip that says “What the Bible Says on Homosexuality”. What it leads to is an incredibly bias slant in favor of those who think the Bible has little to say on the matter or that it is an acceptable lifestyle.
It is easier to feel uncontrollable anger build up rather than wallow in the hurt it induces. Putting up walls is better than feeling vulnerable. But then I come back to that same truth, people will let me down. My anger should be re-directed at the one who causes all this trouble and his name is Satan.
Just like God will never leave you, so Satan keeps with us. But unlike Christ, he will always let us down. The devil is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). He is skillfully drawing the world population away from God. I am still supposed to spread the truth to the nations but I cannot forget to develop my relationship with God so that I have the armor I need to fight off the Enemy (Ephesians 6:11). I have to keep my focus and remember that I need to win these people to salvation because that is where the difference will begin. And so, perhaps in my Traditional Marriage Center, I will include a place for the gospel.
Next time you are disappointed by a fellow Christian, someone you looked up to, remember to pray for them and continue your glance upward to the cross. There you will see the One who has never let you down. And when the world gets you down and tries to bring out the worst in you, recognize the source: Satan. After you have remembered who the source of sin is, again look back to the cross. And just like the majority of my entries, I am writing this mostly for myself but I hope perhaps it has you thinking too. Do not let emotions get the best of you, they are fleeting, but there is a stronghold that is never failing: His name is Jesus.
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