On Wednesday, I had an interesting conversation with a customer that I have been good friends with for a very long time and it almost ended with me coming out to him. This conversation was one of the most spiritual conversations that I've had in awhile and I thought I would share parts of it with you and my thoughts. Darren, the customer, is almost 50 years old. He was once a member of the Church, but decided to leave (I'll tell you the reason why later in my post). He is also very liberal and loves to cause controversy here in Happy Valley by making certain comments that outs him as a liberal in a very conservative zone.
Our conversation started off by him asking me what my plans were for the future. I told him that I am possibly joining a research team this fall studying HIV, that in a couple of years I wanted to be in medical school, and other things like that--just my typical future goals and what not. He then asked me if I wanted to go to U of U for medical school and I told him, "Hell no!" He was kind of surprised by that answer and I was kind of surprised that I swore in front of him. He then asked why and I told him that I wanted to get out and experience life outside of Utah (save me from the bubble). We then discussed how most people in the Church are very conservative. He then asked me my beliefs. I told him that I support gay marriage, abortion, stem cell research, and many other controversial topics. He was kind of surprised by my response.
He then decided to tell me his story of why he left the Church. He left the Church because he felt like the people in it were too hypocritical and judgmental. He also said, "People in the Church make themselves look like they are welcoming and accepting, when in realty, they are rarely that way." According to Darren, members do not take what they say to heart. I would have to agree with this and I know that I am guilty of this sometimes--the whole world is.
Who are we to judge another person? We are nobody and we do not have the right to judge another person--only Christ has the right. Sure we can judge a situation as being good or bad, but we should never judge a person that way. They may differ from our beliefs, but they might be some of the nicest people around. Would Christ shun someone because he is gay and supports gay marriage, stem cell research, and abortion? No, he wouldn't (well, I believe he doesn't cause that's me). Would Christ shun a conservative, old woman, who likes to drink coffee and tea? No! He loves all of us and judges us by our situation and life events. We should not judge others. We should be Christ-like people and love one another. We should be accepting of everyone and show them that we love them. We should also give them the same basic rights because it is the right thing to do.
This sounds corny but think, "What would Jesus do?" You know he would be loving and accepting of everyone despite the choices that they are making. Another corny statement... Love the sinner and hate the sin. Show everyone Christ-like love and become more like Christ.
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
A Life That Keeps Living
A life that keeps living.
Behind this phrase, there are many hidden ideas and thoughts that run through my mind. They all however, center on Christ. He is the one person that connects the entire universe together--spiritual and temporal.
The first idea that comes from this phrase is eternal life. We all have been given the gift of eternal life because of Christ's sacrifice. Our lives will continue on forever despite what we do in this life. We may be in different kingdoms of glory, but our lives will always continue on. It is amazing to think about this concept. Life does not end after death. It never ends.
Another idea that comes to mind is my life and my search for meaning, purpose, and adventure. I could just sit on the fence and not make a single decision. I could also float on my back and rely on others to guide me through this life. In a sense, I would be living if I did that, but in my reality I wouldn't be living at all. Life isn't meant to be watched. It is meant to be experienced and lived. We must keep making decisions and experiencing life rather than watching it go by, watching others find joy and growth. We need to experience happiness, sadness, joy, pain, melancholy, and every other emotion in order to really live. Christ experienced everything here on earth and He lives to this day. Those who experience life are the ones who keep living.
Right now, I could just give up and stop living life. I have good reasons to. I'm attracted to men. I have Crohn's Disease. I don't have the best relationship with my family. I don't have very many good friendships. I am in extreme pain right now. All of these things could bring me down. However, I don't let them bring me down. I keep living life. I see the range of emotions, experiences, and struggles that I am going through and realize that they are for my betterment. I am actually growing from everything that happens in my life. I could just give up, but I don't. I have the help and love of God and Christ on my side. As long as I have faith in them and do my best, everything will work out how it is supposed to. My life is one that keeps living despite all of its set-backs and problems and it gives me meaning and purpose.
Behind this phrase, there are many hidden ideas and thoughts that run through my mind. They all however, center on Christ. He is the one person that connects the entire universe together--spiritual and temporal.
The first idea that comes from this phrase is eternal life. We all have been given the gift of eternal life because of Christ's sacrifice. Our lives will continue on forever despite what we do in this life. We may be in different kingdoms of glory, but our lives will always continue on. It is amazing to think about this concept. Life does not end after death. It never ends.
Another idea that comes to mind is my life and my search for meaning, purpose, and adventure. I could just sit on the fence and not make a single decision. I could also float on my back and rely on others to guide me through this life. In a sense, I would be living if I did that, but in my reality I wouldn't be living at all. Life isn't meant to be watched. It is meant to be experienced and lived. We must keep making decisions and experiencing life rather than watching it go by, watching others find joy and growth. We need to experience happiness, sadness, joy, pain, melancholy, and every other emotion in order to really live. Christ experienced everything here on earth and He lives to this day. Those who experience life are the ones who keep living.
Right now, I could just give up and stop living life. I have good reasons to. I'm attracted to men. I have Crohn's Disease. I don't have the best relationship with my family. I don't have very many good friendships. I am in extreme pain right now. All of these things could bring me down. However, I don't let them bring me down. I keep living life. I see the range of emotions, experiences, and struggles that I am going through and realize that they are for my betterment. I am actually growing from everything that happens in my life. I could just give up, but I don't. I have the help and love of God and Christ on my side. As long as I have faith in them and do my best, everything will work out how it is supposed to. My life is one that keeps living despite all of its set-backs and problems and it gives me meaning and purpose.
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