Christmas baking has begun. Only 4 more days until Christmas! It coming apon us crazy fast. But, I'm beginning to get into the Christmas mood, I guess you could call it. I thought I knew the direction this post was going to go, but this morning changed that. This post actually has very little... if anything... to do with Christmas itself... I want to first add a disclaimer on here. The guy I am going to refer to, as well as some lyrics, I cannot recommend. I fell in love with the words, then I looked up the artist. Apparently its by a Christian rock band. (I don't believe those two words should be together, anyway.) So, again, I'm not promoting them, rather the message.
It blessed my heart as I hope it will you as well. Mark Hall, the lead singer/songwriter of Casting Crowns, said this, "...you know what, I noticed something... now, this is just being 9, okay... but nobody in my church had any problems. it was just me. Everybody in my church was sick, cause we prayed for hearts and lungs and gizzards and knees and everything you can think of. But nobody had any problems. There aren't any marriages in trouble in our church. There wasn't anyone dealing with bitterness, or self control, or temper, or unforgiveness. No one was addicted to anything. Everybody had it all together. And what that told me as a little kid is that I was messed up. It took me a little while to figure out, you guys are messed up too, aren't ya? Yes you are! Yay, you're messed up! But you know what, you know your brothers and sisters in the body need to know? That. They don't need to know that you have it all together when you don't. Its so hard to hear from a perfect person. What I think we need to see in each other are broken people made whole, you know. I don't think it bothers the world that we sin. It bothers the world that we act like we don't...... We come to church, and this is just me, maybe you guys are rocking along, its just me, but what I did as a kid is I turned into an adult that kept it all back here somewhere. Its kind of like I had a picture of what a solid believer looked like in my head, and I wanted to be him. That's not bad, is it? So, I would show up too church, and I would be him. The problem was, all the other stuff in my life that didn't fit that, I just kinda tucked it back here somewhere. And it kinda became a performance almost, you know. Making sure that everyone knew that I was "Awesome Christian Mark Guy", When I was probably sitting two or three seats away from someone dealing with the same stuff I was. But I ripped myself off of the ministry and encouragement, and prayer that the body of Christ can give each other. If were not careful, Church will become a performance. And its just another stained glass masquerade." Apparently that was a speech he made while on tour, before singing the song, "Stained glass masquerade". I'll find a cover song for y'all someday, cause I'm not going to post the original. However, the lyrics are as follows, "Stained Glass Masquerade" Is there anyone that fails Is there anyone that falls Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small Cause when I take a look around Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover That I don't belong So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too So with a painted grin, I play the part again So everyone will see me the way that I see them Are we happy plastic people Under shiny plastic steeples With walls around our weakness And smiles to hide our pain But if the invitation's open To every heart that has been broken Maybe then we close the curtain On our stained glass masquerade Is there anyone who's been there Are there any hands to raise Am I the only one who's traded In the altar for a stage The performance is convincing And we know every line by heart Only when no one is watching Can we really fall apart But would it set me free If I dared to let you see The truth behind the person That you imagine me to be Would your arms be open Or would you walk away Would the love of Jesus Be enough to make you stay" I don't know if I can add anything to this. It so very much expresses my life. I've always wondered how it seems everyone else can be so strong while I am just a wimp. The Christian life for so many is just a walk in the park as it seems, and seeing that is discouraging because I cannot be compared to that. It's not easy for me. I "get" it, yes! It's not just the best life, it's the only life, and the life I'm going to live! However, I for one, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, would be greatly benefited if we all just quit acting like we have it all together... when we don't. Because I certainly don't. I'm less that half as close as id like to be. Everyone of us right now can think of many things we struggle with, or are working through on a daily basis. And yet, we got to church (and often through every day) putting in a show. Acting like were "all good" when were far from it. The birth of Christ brought hope to our lives. He brought a chance to be made new. He left us with His Spirit to help us be molded into what we should be. Nobody's perfect, we all know that. So why don't we take our masks off, instead of trying to act like a perfect Christian. Get real with EACH OTHER, with OURSELVES, and with GOD. You may be able to put on a play for everyone else, you may even be able to get yourself to believe you are doing pretty good, but if there's one person you can't fool, its God. You think He doesn't know what's in your heart? I'm sure I didn't do justice with the summary, but I was blessed through it, so I share it with y'all. :)
1 Comment
Judy Costello
1/29/2014 03:23:50 am
I am friends with Mary Parker and she referred me to your blog. All I can say.... YOU are an AMAZING Young Lady and GOD has GREAT things in store for you !!!!
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