Dear various and sundry friends (particularly the Christian ones);
Sometimes I read your blogs and e-mails and wonder, "Why? Why all this fussing and moaning and groaning over the past, over mistakes and sins?" I don't understand the problem, though I'm sure I do it myself sometimes. We like to think of ourselves too much (and too much of ourselves). We like to think that somehow we're different; we're special. Our case is unusual and therefore demands an unusual cure: special penance for special people with special sins.
But we're wrong. How many of us have enjoyed singing or listening to "Arise, My Soul, Arise" or "Before the Throne of God Above" (especially the second stanza), moved by the promises but failing to walk in them? Why this fussing? Why this moaning? Your sins are not special. They are typical. Your sins need no other cure or covering than that provided long ago. Stop fussing and BELIEVE, for Pete's sake!
You have sinned, true. Christ has died--also true. Jesus' life and death cover your sins: truth itself. Open your ears and listen to the truth. The truth will set you free. Free from guilt; free from fear; free from fussing; free from angst.
You know the truth. Live it. Are you forgiven? Then forgive (and forgive yourself as well). Are you a believer? Then BELIEVE. Don't claim to believe and then reject what you claim. Your mourning adds nothing to what Jesus has done. Get up, Child of God, and claim your inheritence. Enough with this selfish and sinful unbelief.
Sincerely,
the Management
Posted by at April 19, 2004 1:11 PMEverything you've said is true, and vitally important. And I forget it most of the time. So it's good to get a kick in the pants.
But maybe, just maybe, it might not be all that helpful to yell at people who are struggling to stop struggling.
Posted by: mesh at April 19, 2004 2:33 AMyou're both right, mesh and j.
jonathan, maybe you should clarify to those who know you less well that you have walked / are prone to walk the angst-ridden (AR?) road yourself and "have known the rigor of a waking sleep."
i find that my problem is that i am too consumed with my problems and my difficulties and me me me. thanks for the redirected thought process.
Posted by: hill at April 21, 2004 6:51 PMGood stuff, Jon!
Posted by: Wendy at April 29, 2004 11:38 AM