Hypocrisy

I watch a lot of people say what they know we want to hear. At retreat, we asked those who had relationship with God to light a candle. We only requested that people be honest with themselves. Nothing bad was going to happen to those who didn't light--we tried to promise that, and maybe it's heard and believed, and maybe not; maybe they heard but have experienced the opposite so often in life they couldn't believe. But lots of people lit candles who aren't really ever trying to live anything close to something resembling Christianity (of course, what right do I have to define what that's supposed to look like... but there are some parameters, right?? Seeking after Truth, God, Righteousness; Love for others; Honesty; etc... I mean isn't it rather obvious when someone's actually trying!!)

Funny thing is, I come on here and read all kinds of people's bulletins. Day 1, they put something out that says something about their private parts and the parties they went to and how they want to bleep your blankety blank... Day 2, they put out one of those bulletins that talks about how if you are a 'real' Christian, you'll re-post this bulletin... cause 98% won't!! So we get guilted into it, convincing ourselves that posting that bulletin qualifies as 'taking a stand' for Christ.

It amazes me how the dichotomy and hypocrisy is so easy for us to maintain! We post the dualist remarks and walk in to youth group proud of how we're standing firm for God!

How I long for a group of people who live for God fully. Who cease to perform the 'minor' sins and seek to live fully for God. How I long for a people who don't have to be cajoled into worshipping God, but do so out of love and excitement for Him. How I long to be pushed and prodded by my peers who continually hold me to higher standards of righteousness as opposed to helping me feel OK about the ways I've justified and rationalized my life.

And why is it so bad to hope for this among teens? Teens who are constantly seeking something to give their life and energy to? Teens who so desperately seek a way to be unique and stake a claim in life for themselves? Teens who so often talk about being true to what you believe... Is this really what you believe? Examine the God you claim (really, if Christianity is the way so many of us live, this is your God): a God who doesn't mind that you talk dirty and think dirty and live in misleading ways. A God who accepts that you just won't be able to live at the standard He's placed in front of us. A God who doesn't seem to notice the things that we call 'minor' sins.

You see, what might seem 'minor' to me matters to God. God doesn't just call us to 'try'... well, yeah He does... but to try in a way that gives all of me! We all know when we play a sport whether or not we've given everything. We know when we practice our instruments whether or not we've practiced with everything we have. We know when we interact with our parents whether or not we're truly being respectful... and we know when we're actually trying to live for God and when we're trying to convince ourselves that half-effort is good enough.

It's time to stop living comfortable half-faith.