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christianity
May 2008 
It's not about Jesus, really.
Posted on Nov 27th, 2007
by 
Angela
Angela
I'm liking Jesus better all the time. At least, I'm liking the Jesus that's forming in my mind. Once I got a clear understanding of love...
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and decided to tell them the truth, as best I could. Turned out my best wasn't quite right. I said "Yes, I'm a believer, but I'm not a Christian." At one point, I added, "I'm liking Jesus better all the time." But still, they couldn't really hear me, or engage in a conversation.
Once they left, I put some thought toward how hard it was to communicate with these men. I think that both my authenticity and their comprehension were compromised by the demon that hung in the air between us. That demon was the construct they carry around, the belief they hold in hell, and in permanent separation from divine love.
I am almost looking forward to the next time I find myself in a conversation like this. Maybe I'll have learned something? Maybe I'll even be able to outshine them, as I tell them what I really think about God's love. Maybe they'll feel it. Maybe.
It's what holds everything together, and it's the everything too! -- Rumi...I began to have an easier time seeing the light in stories about Jesus. Especially the stories in the Gospel of Thomas.
It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the all. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there.I'm thinking about this now, because a couple of guys sat near me at the coffee shop this morning, and it turned out they were a local preacher and a travelling missionary. They wanted to know if I'm a believer. Wow. How do I answer a question like that?-- Jesus, according to the Gospel of Thomas
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and decided to tell them the truth, as best I could. Turned out my best wasn't quite right. I said "Yes, I'm a believer, but I'm not a Christian." At one point, I added, "I'm liking Jesus better all the time." But still, they couldn't really hear me, or engage in a conversation.
Once they left, I put some thought toward how hard it was to communicate with these men. I think that both my authenticity and their comprehension were compromised by the demon that hung in the air between us. That demon was the construct they carry around, the belief they hold in hell, and in permanent separation from divine love.
I am almost looking forward to the next time I find myself in a conversation like this. Maybe I'll have learned something? Maybe I'll even be able to outshine them, as I tell them what I really think about God's love. Maybe they'll feel it. Maybe.
Access: Public
The problem was they were looking back in time towards Jesus instead of as Jesus did looking up in the direction of God, who is Love.
I think you gave them an honest answer, Angela. That's good. Not one that they like to hear, but those Christian missionaries drive a hard bargain, don't they. Their minds are clamped down so hard on “the word” that they can't hear the human beings standing in front of them. Isn't it a pity that these they couldn't accomplish the actual mission of helping to bring someone closer to Jesus.
Zephyr is right, they're looking for Love in all the wrong places. Heck, if you want to relate with Christ, start sincerely praying. Talk to the Man! If you're head isn't clear enough to hear what he has to tell you, at least you can FEEL him in your heart. That's a good place to start. Trust in your heart. Your heart knows so much more than the mind could ever know.