GETTING MY JESUS ON...

"You know we go wayyy back so I have to ask, When did you get so Jesus-y?"  This was a text message received from one of my oldest and dearest friends in the world this week. She and I grew up together all through school 4th grade up, roomed in college, after college, stood in each others wedding party and can pick up the phone every day or twice a year and never miss a beat. The kind of friend that you tell secrets to, the one you do things with that will get you in trouble... IF you get caught. She is that kind of friend. "Was it because of your accident?" she asked.  Let me tell you this is not something I could even begin to answer in a text message but it did get me thinking.....

For the record I have always believed in God and Jesus. That is the way I grew up, not in church per say but believing there is a greater being than what I can see, touch, taste, feel, in living flesh. This was not the deep in touch faith going to church every time the doors were open or even on Easter in Christmas. I was a closet believer. I didn't proclaim my faith publicly, nor would I argue or even debate with people about religion. I am a firm believer you don't debate what you don't know or what you don't quite understand. That was me the closet pray-er. Most of my praying was generic. Protection and safety for family and friends, forgiveness, but mostly I have always prayed to understand how to deal with daily life. People always say tragedy or life milestones will either shake your faith or bring you closer. I have dealt with both of these. In my adult life I struggled with organized religion. Please understand I had never actually read the Bible and couldn't quote a Bible verse if my life had depended on it but one thing always held true for me to believe in God and Jesus you; DON'T JUDGE someone you know nothing about, even if you do know something it is not your place, YOU GIVE of YOURSELF with no expectation of reciprocity and you LOVE FIERCELY.  This is fundamental whether you believe in Jesus or not. This is how EVERYONE should live their life. Do I always get this right, of course not, I still don't but I strive for it.

Several years ago I was having a discussion with my daughter in the car, let me tell you a child will put it in black and white for you really quickly. We had discussed right and wrong many times over her young life but I believe she was about 7 at this point and she asked, "Mommy if somebody does something and they know it is a sin and they ask for forgiveness, but keep doing it doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of trying to live your life the way you are supposed to?"  YEAH try answering that one with NO religious background what so ever. I don't remember my answer exactly because I am pretty sure I could not answer it. I do know that is when I decided I needed to grow in my faith. It was apparent to me that my daughter was only going to ask tougher questions if this is what I was getting at 7years old.

Still not a big fan of organized religion at least where we live I reached out to some friends who had been in church all their lives for some direction. This is when they suggested I look online for Andy Stanley and start with some of his preachings and teachings. I am here to tell you if you have never been to a Church you felt at home in but have questions about the Bible and the beliefs that it teaches Andy Stanley at NorthPoint Ministries http://www.northpoint.org/ is a good place to start.  They have an amazing ministry! Who knew you could feel at home online at a church 2 states away.  I began to crave more knowledge. Several things stuck with me while listening to him.

One particular sermon stuck with me. I am paraphrasing part of this so please forgive me....

The word Christian only appears 3 times in the Bible. First Century Christians didn't call themselves Christians it was a derogatory term used by outsiders to describe the followers of Jesus. Christians called themselves Disciples...

OK WOW  now when you are as ignorant of the Bible as I am this really stood out. Really only 3 times???  Then he went on....

"Disciple" is an intimidating word because it's defined. It means a student, apprentice, adherent, or follower. A disciple learns and grows by obeying and imitating his or her master.  So what does a Disciple of Jesus look like. I challenge you to look up the book of  John 13:34-35 in a bible. If you don't have one go online I will even give you a link. http://www.biblegateway.com/  this is a GREAT way to learn about different verses. I will give you a hint.. It deals with LOVING one another.

He went on to preach "When Christians truly and faithfully try to live like disciples of Christ outsiders look at them and wonder. "Look at the way they love, Look how they honor their women and children, the elderly and the sick, Look how generous they are. That kind of love can change the world."

This man wasn't preaching at me he was teaching me how I should live my life, how I wanted my daughter to live her life. My friends whether you believe in God or Jesus or neither shouldn't we all live this way??  The second thing Andy Stanley would continue to mention in his teachings was that Church wasn't about being in the Rows. Meaning it isn't just about showing up at the church for service. It was about what they called small groups. Smaller groups of Church members getting together to be there for one another during seasons of your life. The third and probably the most important thing is he encouraged people watching online and listening to his sermons through web cast to get involved in a LOCAL church. Get involved in a local church that gets involved in the community.

AGAIN WOW... Here is a man with a HUGE ministry thousands of members telling me that not only was he happy that I was tuning in but the Church is more than a sermon and I needed to find a church home. I wasn't sure I was ready for all of that. I continued to watch his sermons and his teachings. Still though at this point I was still the closet prayer. I only spoke about what I was learning with others that well already knew. Those who were open to discuss my questions with me, but certainly by no means ready to announce my faith to everyone.  What would they say?  How would everyone react? Would it start a huge debate? Would I lose friends?  These were all questions that stuck in my mind, until my accident.

Fast forward to December 12, 2012,  for those of you who don't know me I had an accident where I severed the tips of my three middle fingers down to the first joint. If you just shuddered don't worry most people do. It usually follows with them gripping their hand and going OW that must of hurt... I can laugh about it now but let me tell you why.

It is strange how life can throw you a curve ball and well you can either swing and miss, swing and hit it out of the park, or get hit up side the head. I think this one hit me. :)  This accident was detrimental to everything I cared about. It was life changing but more importantly life affirming. Here I was being told they didn't know how this would turn out, that I would probably need at least two surgeries and possibly three. All I could think about was my family and Don and how worried they must be. My only thought was to reassure them I would be fine.  My first and only prayer through this entire accident "God give me the strength I need to get through this."  That is all I asked for.

When did I get so Jesus-y? ( I will save that text message forever it makes me smile)  It was my first day home. I have never had so many profess prayers on my behalf. People of people, family of people I have never met prayed for me. Co-workers, Horsey Friends, Family, and people I just know in passing offering to help Don, Genna, and me get through this tragedy.  Food poured in food of the likes I have never seen. So much food that we didn't have to cook for a good 8 weeks. Let me let you in on a secret. If you wished me well and sent me good thoughts, "News flash, you were praying for me" Just sayin..

When did I get so Jesus-y?  The first time I stepped into Hope Community Church by my brother's invitation and people whom I have never met came up and hugged me and said "We have all been praying for you. You have been such an inspiration to us"   Who me, inspiration for what????

When did I get so Jesus-y? The second time I attended Hope Community Church and the choir moved me to tears. Inspired me to walk to the front of the church in front of people I didn't know, bow down on the alter to ask God to  "Guide me toward your will for my life and I will have the faith to follow." I had found my local church home. http://www.hopecommunitychurch.tv/

When did I get so Jesus-y?  The very first time I had communion at church, Bishop and Pastor Debbie pulled me to them and said "We want to pray for you that God fully heals you" Now I know it wasn't just my hand they were praying for.

When did I get so Jesus-y?  My final visit to the Occupational Therapist after he kicked me to the curb and said "I never thought you would get that much strength back." My final visit to the Surgeon when he said.. "Never in a million years would I have imagined you would heal this well, as bad as your hand was mangled and only with ONE Surgery."   I did give him his props for being an amazing surgeon and I will shout Dr. Johnsons praises from the roof tops but he had some help. :)

So you see after all is said and done I CHOOSE to "GET MY JESUS ON" everyday. Without the LOVE, SUPPORT, GIVING and CARING of so many people Christians and Non-Christians alike praying for the healing strength of God's Love I would not be in the same place I am now. I can not explain the peace this brings to my life. To be still in his presence to learn about his word strengthens my daily resolve. The people I have met through all of this warms my heart.

God timing is always perfect. He will never set us up to fail but we must have faith in his will for us. I have chosen to believe and to openly profess my love for Jesus.

Please feel free to share this if you like. Hopefully you too can  "GET YOUR JESUS ON"