What's the Difference?

Remember those picture puzzle things? You probably attempted some when you were little. There were two or three pictures that at first glance looked exactly the same but if you looked a little closer weren't? And that of course was the game: try and find all the differences. Some of the differences where super easy- a guy would have a large mustache in one picture and none in the other. The majority though, were surprisingly hard to find.

I can't help but think that those fun (or lame, depending...) little puzzles are a good example of Christians in our culture. There are so many people who claim to be Christians. They are all around us. Chances are if you are reading my blog you probably say you're one. But have you ever noticed differences among "Christians?" Some people seem so passionate about God while others are more passionate about the newest music and movies. Others take what the Bible says seriously, while others seem to treat what it says as merely suggestions. Still others practically exude a life, and a joy, and a peace, while some seem like selfish killjoys. What is the difference? Like two picture puzzles these "Christians" are comparable yet somehow unmistakably different. Recently it has been so completely obvious to me how some Christians just radiate life. It practically shines out of their pores. Something supernatural. They certainly are not perfect but there's such a peace and a joy. Such a love. There is something intrinsically different about them. And then there are the other "Christians?" They are so similar yet somehow so different? Why? Where is that living water that Jesus said would flow from them?

Sometimes I wonder if the church is filled with more posers than we would ever feel remotely comfortable admitting? Actually I take that back. I think that a lot of people don't realize that they are posing in which case the church would be filled with people who have fooled themselves into thinking they are the real thing when in fact they are only cheap knockoffs... like costume jewelry made in China. We of course can't judge hearts and I'm not saying that if you have a bad day and don't feel very peaceful that you aren't a true Christian. But remember something Jesus said, "...narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it...[Matt 7:14]" Narrow? Difficult? Few? Are we all really on that narrow path or are some of us simply imitating it without even realizing it- marking off our own "narrow" boundaries while we walk on the broad road of destruction? I really believe we all need to take a fresh look at our lives and compare our "picture" to the real thing: Christ.
Help us, Lord Jesus.

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.
2 Corinthians 13:5