I'm a Christian: DEAL with It!

Published on July 18, 2006 By Gideon MacLeish In Misc

One of the biggest mistakes I have made in my life has been trying to be "all things to all people". When I look back over my life, there's little wonder why I have not had great success and have burned out quickly; I have the intensity, I have the energy, and I have the desire. What I have lacked is the ability to narrow my focus in leadership to those areas where I am called and where I have the ability.

I have spent much time around those with a more ecumenical, or even Unitarian, point of view, and, while I appreciate their insight, their philosophies, frankly, conflict with mine. That doesn't mean we cannot form a friendship, all it means is that they are heading in one direction and I am heading in another, and while I may appreciate the convergence of our respective paths, I would be ill advised to continue with them on the path they are travelling once it splits from my own.

The thing that many nonChristians cannot seem to understand is that being a Christian is integrally intertwined with my approach to absolutely everything. I am guided by the question of what Jesus would have me to do, NOT what I want to do or what YOU want me to do. Jesus is essentially the only person that matters in the equation.

I realize that last paragraph may be difficult for a few of my readers to follow. If it is, i am going to respectfully ask you to refrain from commenting on that fact; there's a good chance you will find your comments on the editing room floor. It's not that I don't value you as a person, but I cannot allow your comments to steer me away from who I am and what I was meant to do.

Comments

sushiK

on Jul 18, 2006

That is as an alien concept to me as my dog telling me to make pancakes, but I do whole heartedly respect the right of anyone and everyone in this world to live life they way they feel they should.

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Jul 18, 2006

I agree. I think that Jesus gave us a very good example. He was on his father's schedule not his own or those around him. I think of what he said to Mary...."My hour has not yet come."

I've heard it said before that if we are to Jesus what Jesus was to his father than Jesus will be to us what his father was to him......

Dr Guy

on Jul 18, 2006

Great article Gideon. I like it.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jul 18, 2006

That is as an alien concept to me as my dog telling me to make pancakes, but I do whole heartedly respect the right of anyone and everyone in this world to live life they way they feel they should.

If you aren't a Christian, the concept is SUPPOSED to be alien to you. But the respect is all I ask for.

Tova7

on Jul 18, 2006

I understand what you mean here Gid.

If I am friends with someone of another faith (non-Christian) and say for example get invited to a wedding. I have no problems going to the wedding and celebrating with my loved one....but I will draw the line at participating in some things like, prayer to a god that is not my own, or any kind of ritual that involves their god. I would expect them to respect that...just as I would respect them if the tables were turned..and at my wedding they did not pray to my God, or take communion.

Being a Christian is not a pre-requisite for my friendship, but accepting me for who I am is.

aeryck

on Jul 18, 2006

I appreciate what you are saying. It is almost like a bias in a bowling ball. Having been in the music industry most of my adult life, there are many on many varied and different paths into their egos, drowning in excess and the dark elements of a life where many just never grow up. The oneness in spirit that I share with Jesus Christ, pulls according to a different bias, and though at first I used to celebrate with them, eventually I found that crossroads developed without even trying to be different. I just grew up, because of the Spirit of God, and well many just wanted to keep in the world of ego pampering. I am sure this does not only apply to the music industry. Thanks Gideon. SDG.

Myrrander

on Jul 18, 2006

You know, that's a nice way to put things. I think my own personal atheism is also "integrally intertwined with my approach to absolutely everything." I am guided by the need to do the right thing the first time with no hope for a bail-out from any deity to forgive me and wash me white as snow -- it's a heavy load, but also very liberating.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as something to be edited, but it wasn't meant as a personal insult. Indeed, I can understand where you're coming from, because I feel the same way about where I'm coming from, despite that those places are pretty different.

I do, however, think that in this country, it's not very hard for people to "deal with it," since you guys are the majority. Then again, false persecution complexes have been the cornerstone of the Christian mind-set from its earliest days.

Cheers.

xtine

on Jul 18, 2006

I can totally deal with it. Was a little put-off by your title...and I wonder if you would be as put off if an article with the same tone as yours (a tad confrontational actually) was posted with the title, "I'm an ATHEIST, so deal with it!!"?

That was my only impression with your monoloque.

ParaTed2k

on Jul 18, 2006

It is my hope that everyone get to the point in their faith (or, as a nod of respect to Myrrander, lack thereof) that they can honestly and openly say what you just said.

As Christians, we are taught to teach and testify to others through our words and actions. That means we should live our lives as an example to others. What it doesn't mean is that we try to make others feel like they are beneath us if they don't accept Christ... Christ never did that, so I often wonder why we think it's ok for us to.

Thank you Gideon, for being strong enough to share your faith, while at the same time being humble enough to respect others to be just as strong in theirs.

foreverserenity

on Jul 19, 2006

Great article Gid. One from the heart.

"I have spent much time around those with a more ecumenical, or even Unitarian, point of view, and, while I appreciate their insight, their philosophies, frankly, conflict with mine. That doesn't mean we cannot form a friendship, all it means is that they are heading in one direction and I am heading in another, and while I may appreciate the convergence of our respective paths, I would be ill advised to continue with them on the path they are travelling once it splits from my own."

This is sometimes the crux of the problem for some people. One should never have to prove themselves or make excuses for who they are, or what they believe. Mutual respect is all that is necessary.

Xythe

on Jul 19, 2006

That is as an alien concept to me as my dog telling me to make pancakes, but I do whole heartedly respect the right of anyone and everyone in this world to live life they way they feel they should.

I'm sorry but this analogy does not seem respectful in the slightest. In fact, it smacks highly of sarcasm and comes off as quite offensive IMHO.
Learn to deal with it more gracefully.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jul 19, 2006

Learn to deal with it more gracefully.

I have no problem dealing with it, frankly. I am who I am, without apology, and if you can't handle that, there's the door.

and I wonder if you would be as put off if an article with the same tone as yours (a tad confrontational actually) was posted with the title, "I'm an ATHEIST, so deal with it!!"?

Not at all, xtine. You are who you are, and should be so without apology. Frankly, it is true that more Christians have problems with someone being atheist than atheists have problems with someone being Christian...there's jerks on both sides.

I'm not sure if this qualifies as something to be edited, but it wasn't meant as a personal insult.

No, myrrander, I won't edit it. While we take fundamentally different points of view, I accept where you're coming from. I just ask for mutual acceptance, which your comment delivered.

My concern wasn't for comments like yours, myrr. I wouldn't have left the thread open otherwise. It was more for the trolls.

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