This Can't Be Christianity

WHEN: November 23rd 2009
AUTHOR: bk
CATEGORY: Blog
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Are you getting tired of Christianity? I don't just mean a little worn out. I mean exhausted, frustrated, maybe even downright sick of it. The words 'church,' 'Jesus,' or 'salvation' have become empty words. Bitterness has begun to creep in. People around you are all excited about God, but all you feel is frustration.

You're not alone.

In fact, you are officially invited to join the Club of Let-Down Christians. It's very popular. This is a club where you're allowed to shake your fist at God, to complain about all your unanswered prayers, and to cut down the idealism of new believers. It is not exactly a happy place, but it is well-attended.

Oh, but there is one requirement for admission. Are you ready? You have to be a Christian who "tries real hard." Think of it like a club for unemployed Ivy League graduates. Everyone here has worked very hard, maybe even has training or credentials, but somehow can't seem to cut the mustard. The club is brimming with talent, wisdom, and experience, but everyone shares a common complaint: "We're tired of this Christian faith. It just doesn't work."

Is this you? Do you qualify for the Club of Let-Down Christians?

I'm writing this today because I am one of the founding members. For a long time, I have tried hard to do the right things for the God of the universe. But for me, Christianity has been like a bad investment: put in a lot, get a little. The so-called 'abundant' life doesn't seem very abundant. This faith doesn't seem to be working.

But lately I've been hearing about another club. It's called the Floaters Club. Let me explain the name: floating is easy, and requires very little effort. It just requires you to be in the right position. The requirement for this club is quite different. You have to give up trying. You have to be so exhausted, so tired of being tired, that you completely give up. You just lie on your back and float, and hope that you won't drown.

Can I be honest? I'm tired of trying to "keep up." I'm tired of feeling like I'm always behind in my faith. I feel like I've been treading water for years, and can barely keep myself from drowning. This can't be Christianity. If it is, I'm not going to last.

I must admit that as stupid as the Floaters Club sounds, there is something attractive about it. There are enough verses in the Psalms alone, let alone the entire Bible, to remind me that God promises to sustain me. And that really sounds like freedom to me. But how can God sustain me -- float me -- when I'm furiously trying to tread water?

Will you join me in trying to be good members of the Floaters Club? Don't worry, you don't have to wear a badge with the dumb name on it. But consider that we might be given the option to pray, to study, to worship, to fellowship, to do all sorts of activities that glorify God, not because it's the only thing that keep our faith alive, but because our faith is already alive. We don't do these things because we need to have faith, we do them because we already have faith. Do you see the difference? One is a constant source of anxiety; the other is a free choice. We decide to pray or sing or whatever because of what Christ has finished in us. Finished! Remeber what Jesus cried out from the cross? "It is finished!"

Could it really be true? What if Christ really sustained us? This could change everything.......