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Living Right Ain't Easy

I've never been popular and I'm pretty sure I never will be. Christian aren't always popular people. History shows them as outcasts, those people popular people ignore. Prostitutes, adulterers, tax collectors, nerds, lepers, the homeless. I'm in good company. Like me they all looked at their lives, realized that they wanted something better and realized that Jesus was the answer.

Today it seems people use Jesus as a get out of jail free card. Just like old time mobsters who every time they killed somebody went to confession asking for absolution. It doesn't work that way. Our lives should change, our lifestyle should change once we say "Jesus, you're my guy"; the Head of my life, my all in all.

I always know when I'm off track. I feel this chasm between myself and my Savior and I am desperate to close the gap.  I could very easily say forget this life, I'm gonna out there and do whatever I want. Smoke, drink, have sex, break some hearts, make some fast cash, have some "fun", but what will I gain? What will be the point?

My life doesn't have meaning without God. I would not be the person I am if it wasn't for Him. I could be one of those selfish, don't give a crap about nothing and no one type of people. Angry all the time, in denial, lying to themselves type of people. Sure that is easier than having to admit your wrong and you are responsible for your own actions but it meaningless. I'd rather live right then not at all.

And I don't expect to be liked for it. I don't expect things I say to be popular or even necessarily heeded because we like to do our own thing and don't want to hear that what we are doing is wrong. Christ followers in fact have had to run for their lives because of things they said. Paul, Peter, John the Baptist, Silas, and the list goes on.

When I was younger I always hoped I would be popular. But as time passed and I realized I wouldn't and I stopped trying to and hoping to be. I think it was preparation for the road I walk now.  Yes, I crave companionship like every other human being but I've learned how to be the only difference in a room of sameness. I learned how to be okay.

No its not easy. I've been told that I am crazy for believing in God to my face. I've been told I'm too old to believe in this "fairy tale". I've had to make choices that placed me on the outside looking in but your never alone.

Jesus understands what it means to be an outcast. Try standing in the middle of a huge crowd demanding that you die one of the most painful deaths in known history. He understands that people will leave you, doubt you, reject you cuz he's been there. People say life is an adventure but really its about coming to God. Adam chose this world over God and God gives us life to chose Him over this world.

Although its not easy, for me it is better than the alternative. You could be living wrong and have everything you want and be lonely in the midst of a crowd. Or you can live right and do life with the best friend who will never leave you lonely.

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