If I were to put a time stamp on how long I have been a Christian I suppose it would be since childhood, maybe close to 30 years. I have been thinking a bit about what it really means to live as a Christian in this ‘day and age’ and what it means to those around me who don’t share my beliefs or views. I’m not intending to be preachy at all in this post, just jot down some thoughts that have been rattling around in my head.

There was a time when I was younger that I only had friends who were also Christians, I mean people who were very conservative Christians and shared the same beliefs as myself and my family. I surrounded myself with only like-minded people and participated in things that were connected with our Baptist church in one way or another. Youth group, Sunday School, the Baptist netball association, Girl’s Brigade, Bible College etc etc…I had hardly a friend who didn’t think like me. I don’t actually think this is healthy, after all, what does this say about everyone else? That they are not worthy of spending time with?

I think it wasn’t until I went to Art school as a mature age student that I really learnt how to be a Christian person, holding to Biblical truth and at the same time have real, deep friendships with those who don’t share my views. Art school is good for that. Some of the nicest, most genuine people I have met were at art school. Having said that there were a few nasty people too….but there are plenty of both in the church too.

I’m fairly sure that I was quite self-righteous back in my high school days. I even remember thinking ‘what else is there for me to learn about God, I already know it all’. How arrogant and how wrong was I.

I believe now that we all have the (God given) right to choose what we believe. God made us with the free will to live how we want to live…its the outcome of this action where I might differ from others. I also believe that being a Christian is not a list of actions on the outside. Its not about acting a certain way (eg; being pious, not swearing etc…), its about using the Bible as a life book to live by. That’s living as a Christian, becoming one is another matter (you know, belief that Jesus lived and died and rose again…for me). Some people find that hard to swallow I know but I basically make all my decisions based on what the New Testament says about a subject. Given the Bible doesn’t specifically speak on every tiny thing in life but it does given principles on the way that God would want me to live. These principles are what I base my actions on….or try to.

This brings me to another (and my final) point. My actions don’t always speak of someone who believes in God or in what he has done for me. I’m human. I’m imperfect. I’m just as stinking rotten on the inside as we all think of ourselves. I say things I regret. I yell at the girls at times. I get mad at my hubby. I overreact. I usually remember later that I put my foot in my mouth and have to ask for forgiveness and start again. Starting again is hard work but God is the God of second, third, fourth…..thousands of chances. I’m glad he forgives me over and over.

Anyway, its not easy to live as a Christian in this day and age, it affects decisions I make all the time. Much of the time these decisions look old fashioned, stupid or ridiculous but I choose to look silly and naive (I’m not quite as naive as I look) anyway. I know a lot of people from my childhood, teenage years and adult years have decided its not for them for one reason or another but I do however believe that your relationship with God is very personal. Whether you are angry at him, don’t believe in him or live for him, its each person’s choice. I won’t be judging people based on that, I’m far more interested in people and who they are.