One joys of getting back to the ship is the library onboard. After a few days I walked in and picked out some things to go through. One I picked up is The Utter Relief of Holiness. It's by John Eldredge the author of Wild at Heart that is pretty popular. I have read several of his books but hadn't heard about this one, it just came out two years ago.
I started reading it, not because it's about holiness, but because John always has a way with words that I am able to take a lot from what he's sharing. The thing is, holiness is something that we all long for. Even if you don't know it. I'm not that far into the book yet, but it give a different perspective of holiness. Often we think about holiness with Saints, Monks living in a Monestary, or the old lady down the street that has been to church 5 times a week for the last 65 years.
Today I want to share with you an excerpt of the book that got me thinking.
Weather you are aware of it or not, you crave goodness. In the depths of your being, you ache for goodness, we all do. Our souls long for a sense of wholeness, and goodness is essential for wholeness. We are made for goodness like we are made to breath, like we are made to love. Goodness is the strength of our condition. Friends, you are going to need a deep and profound goodness for all that is coming for you like a freight train. And there is a way to be good again. It comes to us from such a surprising direction-as almost all of the answers to our deepest needs do-that we'd best begin with a question: What is Christianity supposed to do to a person?
I don't have much else to add to what John has shared, but I do have a bit of an article from Relevant Magazine.
The title is "We're called to make disciples not converts."
1.) Converts are believers who live like the world. Disciples are believers who live like Jesus.
2.) Converts are focused on their values, interests, worries, fears, and lifestyles. Disciples are focused on Jesus.
3.) Converts go to church. Disciples are the church.
4.) Converts are involved in the mission of Jesus. Disciples are commuted to it.
5.) Converts cheer from the sidelines. Disciples are in the game.
6.) Converts hear the word of God. Disciples live it.
7.)Converts follow the rules. Disciples follow Jesus.
8.) Converts are all about believing. Disciples are all about being.
9.) Converts are comfortable. Disciples make sacrifices.
10.) Converts talk. Disciples make more disciples.
What are you doing with your Christianity today?
