Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, nondenominational... So many types of Christians with so many divisions. Why!? We all believe in God, and we're all trying to be good and do good... Why so many differences? Is it worth getting caught up in the details? Does it really matter what we believe??
Life is a series of continual decision-making. There are some really big decisions to make at times: What college will I go to? What will I study? Who will I marry? What job do I want? Where will I live? But we are also constantly making small decisions all the time: What time should I get up? What should I eat for breakfast? What time should I leave for work? How fast should I drive? How do I respond to other drivers? How do we discern the right choices in the midst of our decisions?
The turning of the new year is a great time for review and self-examination. Another 365 days have gone; what do we have to show for it? There may be pride from success, or guilt over insufficient accomplishments. Both of these often serve as catalysts for New Year's resolutions - either goals for further accomplishment, or determination to put an end to certain bad habits. New Year's resolutions have gotten a bad rap as of late. Only about 8% of people succeed in keeping their resolutions.
Have you ever stopped to consider what defines God? Most people have a basic conceptualization of who God must be. If He is God, then He is eternal; He has no beginning or end. He is the all-powerful Creator of all things; He brought the universe into existence. He knows everything. There's nothing He cannot do. He is a moral Being. He is above all, completely beyond us. We would assume all these things to be a part of His nature, in order for Him to truly be God. After all, who is God if He is limited in any sense: temporal, unknowing, powerless, immoral... How do we respond to a God who is so far beyond us?
Are you familiar with Jesus' parable about the four soils? I have been thinking much lately about the thorny soil, on which the seed started to grow but was "choked out" by the thorns. Jesus later explains what the thorns represent: "And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature" (Luke 8:14). I believe December brings with it many of these "thorns."
Thanksgiving is a great time to take a break and see family and friends. Many people will overeat, stuffing themselves with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and much more. Some will be loafing on the couch to watch the football game; others will be enjoying the brisk outdoors, perhaps playing their own game of football. Some will already be waiting in shopping lines or browsing the stores for some sort of deal. Still others will be stuck working and dealing with impatient customers.
Hypocritical people at a church where you could never be good enough? Doing your best to follow God, only to face great trials and suffering? Attended church for awhile, but it just wasn't interesting? Turned to God in the midst of troubles, but those troubles never went away? Perhaps this is your disposition towards God and the Bible: "I tried faith once, and it didn't work."
Perhaps you've thought about God, and want to know Him more, but each time you're stopped in your tracks with one great barrier: you're not a good person. Maybe worse than most. Surely there's a cap on God's forgiveness, and you've completely blown it. Would God really forgive you? If you're asking this question, you're probably recognizing how amazing God's holiness is!
If they want to believe those things, fine... but why do they keep trying to change our religion? It is an interesting question - what would motivate someone to talk about beliefs with people who may disagree or be uninterested? Why would anyone want to attempt to persuade someone to think differently? Honestly, it is not easy for a lot of Christians. We don't enjoy losing friends, upsetting people, or putting ourselves out there for ridicule. However, the Bible encourages us with the words: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).
God knows I'm sincere and doing my best, right? None of us are perfect; we have a stark awareness of our sins and failures. And certainly nobody has to tell us that our children are naughty at times. While we work hard to do what's right, and we teach our kids to be moral, what if it's not enough? Does God award sincere effort?