Reap the benefits of trusting in God's love.Byline: FROM HEART TO HEART By Barbara Nixon For The Register-Guard When I ask myself, "Why am I here?" there are a few things I trust: Life isn't a school where I pass and go to heaven, or fail and spend eternity in hell. My existence isn't a test - there isn't something I need to get right. I trust life isn't like a puppet puppet, human or animal figure, generally of a small size and performing on a miniature stage, manipulated by an unseen operator who usually speaks the dialogue. show where my choices are manipulated, where I am essentially powerless to change a predetermined pre·de·ter·mine v. pre·de·ter·mined, pre·de·ter·min·ing, pre·de·ter·mines v.tr. 1. To determine, decide, or establish in advance: fate. I reject these ideas because they do not match the God I know and have come to trust - the God who loves without conditions and creates in order to express and experience that love. It is hard to describe the freedom I have found in trusting God's love. It once was hard for me to imagine such love. That is why Jesus is important to me, and why I am a practicing Christian - not so that I can believe the right things and get to heaven instead of hell, not so I can submit to the exact path God has predetermined for me. No, I am a Christian because in Jesus, I see what it looks like for a human to live fully in God's love. Jesus was so completely open to the presence and love of God that when I see Jesus, I see God. And I see what is possible in a world where love is chosen over fear. I understand that a world where love is chosen over fear can be a dangerous place. It is a radical thing to choose love. It means I choose to share as much as possible, even in a tight economy. It means I choose to stand up with those who are singled out and persecuted, even if that is an unpopular position. It means I choose to work hard to find a peaceful way to solve conflicts, whether that be on a global scale or a personal scale. Choosing love is risky. It cost Jesus his life. But in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Within the body of Christian beliefs, the death and resurrection of Jesus are two core events on which much of Christian doctrine and theology depend. According to The New Testament, Jesus, the central figure of Christianity was crucified, to death, buried within a tomb, and , I experience the love of God as stronger than death. That gives me the courage and the freedom to step out in love - to mess things up, make mistakes, get confused, go the wrong way, get tired, get discouraged dis·cour·age tr.v. dis·cour·aged, dis·cour·ag·ing, dis·cour·ag·es 1. To deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit. 2. To hamper by discouraging; deter. 3. or stumble and falter. As I am discovering more about how to open myself to God, God surrounds me with nothing but love - any time, all the time. As I experience that love in the creating of my own life, I can see how much the world needs the ease, delight and peace that comes from trusting God with everything. In the Bible, Jesus said, "I came that you might have life and have it abundantly a·bun·dant adj. 1. Occurring in or marked by abundance; plentiful. See Synonyms at plentiful. 2. Abounding with; rich: a region abundant in wildlife. ." He didn't come because we needed to figure things out. He wasn't trying to limit our lives like puppets. He was offering us a glimpse of what it looks like when God lives and moves in us and through us. For his message, I am truly grateful. Through his life I know that God simply loves. Barbara Nixon lives in Junction City Junction City, city (1990 pop. 20,604), seat of Geary co., NE Kans., at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill rivers; inc. 1859. The rail, trade, and processing center of an agricultural and dairy area, it grew as the supply point for nearby Fort Riley, and is pastor at Junction City United Methodist Church United Methodist Church, in the United States, religious body formed by the union in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church (see Methodism). . This column is coordinated by Two Rivers Two Rivers, city (1990 pop. 13,030), Manitowoc co., E Wis., on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Twin River; inc. 1878. Two Rivers is closely associated with its twin city, Manitowoc, both of which are highly industrialized. Interfaith in·ter·faith adj. Of, relating to, or involving persons of different religious faiths: an interfaith marriage; an interfaith forum. Ministries, a network of more than 35 religious traditions in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, visit www.interfaitheugene.org or call 344-5693. |
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