Please don’t assume. Don’t assume you know what I believe or know what I care about as a Christian. This is NOT a political statement. I simply continue to find myself in the middle of conversations where someone assumes they know my beliefs or thoughts on an issues because I follow Jesus.
Also, please don’t assume you know exactly the intent of scripture. The more I dig. The more I have to unlearn. Jesus is actually the differentiator. I strive to follow Jesus not a particular religious dogma. Leaning into the teachings and life of Jesus continually challenges my own assumptions. I am nudged to rethink what the church teaches. Where do those teaching come from? Where has culture influenced my beliefs in a direction Jesus didn’t intend?
I am very slowly reading my way through Jesus Alternative Plan by Richard Rohr. It is challenging my own hypocrisy. It is causing me to rethink my assumptions about Jesus and following Him. It is encouraging me to evaluate my consumeristic tendencies, where has my American culture tainted the Message, and is my version of freedom the same as what Jesus intended?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:38-40 NIV)
Jesus is not democrat or republican. He is not after power or control. He is welcoming to the stranger, caring to the poor, and asks us to care for the “least of these.” None of this is easy and circumstance matters. Giving up my need for control is one of the hardest challenges I am facing and it lives right next to being content with my current situations. My favorite quote from the book so far, “What is now in Him is now and not yet in us.” I replace us with me-now and not yet in me.
Please don’t assume. There is so much more to know and uncover. How are you with assuming? How are you with letting Jesus continue to reveal and unfold in your life? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.