Finding Freedom

a stereotype is a simplified mental picture of an individual or group of people who share a certain characteristic (or stereotypical) qualities. The term is often used in a negative sense, and stereotypes are seen by many as undesirable beliefs which can be altered through education and/or familiarisation. Stereotypes are common in the world of drama, where they are often used as a form of dramatic shorthand.

This is something I have certainly had to deal  with in my life. I wish I could say I have never been guilty of  it myself  but unfortunately I cant.  I have definitely had thoughts about people or seen someone and thought they were something. Yet after getting to know them  I came to find out they certainly were not.

I remember once about 9 years ago.  I had an old 69  f100, that was held together with duct tape and tie wire. It wasn’t much of a vehicle because I spent more time walking than I did driving. And everywhere I went you could follow me by the piles of rust I left behind. One morning I was on my way to work and it broke down on me. It was about 10 degrees outside and pouring down rain. The closest intersection was at least 5 miles away. I started walking down the highway, hoping that someone would stop and pick me up. Some people slowed down to stop, but after taking one look at me they quickly changed their mind and sped away. I don’t blame them of course just to give you a mental image of me which is not much different now…….. I am a 290 pound 6ft 3 man. I was  dressed in a pair of worn out jeans, work boots, a cut off shirt, covered in tattoos and earrings. I honestly wouldn’t have picked me up either. But after walking about 2 miles an elderly woman pulled over to give me a ride. She took me to the next inter-section and let me use her phone to call someone to come get me. The point is after being passed by about 50 cars the most unlikely of candidates picked me up to give me a ride. I assumed i would only be picked up  by someone who might have looked like me, so while everyone slowing down was  stereotyping me I was stereotyping them.

I spoke with a member of another church the other day. As we got into deep conversation about life, people and our obligation to Christ as Christians. I shared with him a little bit about myself, my past and my ongoing struggles as a christian in leadership at Celebrate Recovery (a Christ centered recovery program). The more our conversation went on the quieter I became. I thought I was going to have to bite my tongue off to keep from saying the wrong thing. He informed me that there church had no place for people with issues and struggles like I was talking about. They were just to small and lacked the knowledge and capability to handle hurting people. At the moment I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t even begin to understand where this guy was coming from. I must admit I began to stray from the conversation and try to end it as soon as possible to keep from getting frustrated. I honestly feel like it would have been inappropriate to tell him exactly how i felt at the time. I did make it aware to him that I totally disagree. But, I would love to share with you how I really feel about this. Whether I’m wrong or right this is how I feel.

First of all I  dont believe a church should ever begin to be territorial. The doors should always be open to any and everyone seeking Christ. There should never be any walls, gates,doors,or fences keeping the lost from seeing the light and finding the freedom christ has for every person in this world. In Matthew 9:12 and 13 Jesus says “it is not the healthy who need a doctor,but sick. but go and learn what this means:’ I desire mercy,not sacrifice for i have come not to call the righteous, but sinners.” I believe Jesus saw that Matthew was cheating the people and said this to correct his way of thinking. To show him  his purpose here was to save everyone not just chosen people. Also I believe anyone who thinks he is righteous needs to take a closer look at their selves and their salvation. Not to be judgemental but, I know that the first step to following Christ is admitting we are powerless on our own. That we need him and we dont know the answers, the answers lie in him. Also in perhaps one of the most known bible verses to the world John 3:16 it says “for god so loved the world that he gave his only so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life. It doesnt say he died to save only a select few. It says whoever, and were I come from whoever means anybody and everybody. And in Matthew 5:46 Jesus says, if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? are not even the tax collectors doing that? If I stood at my church and told people they were not welcome. I would be performing probably the most unloving act man could ever do. I tell you what, and I know I’m not alone in this. If I had to I would set up chairs in the parking lot. Fill up  every room in the church with the lost. I would pull speaker wire down the highways in our community and hook up speakers all over the county if thats what it took for me to reach the lost with that one message prepared to reach the hurting people.

You see if we continue to sit up on the hill and wait for the lost to come to us. We are not doing what God has called each and every one of us to do. I assure you if you reach out to the lost, there will be no fear of not having the knowledge and capability we need to reach the lost. God will provide that for us. If we didnt need to reach out for them and find them,If they knew were to go and what it was there hearts and souls were longing for. Then they wouldnt be called lost. Lets begin to share the freedom God has given us. Lets step out of our comfort zone and be the disiples God called us to be.

Sometimes i feel like my life has just begun only a short time ago. I feel like my eyes have just been opened for the first time in my life- is what I am trying to say. Not long ago I was covered in worldly sin. Surrounded by many demons. my life had become what we like to call unmanageable. I was an addict and convinced that by consuming all the world had to offer would bring me happiness. The funny thing is that even though there were moments I thought I was happy, deep down i was dying inside. I knew everything i was doing was wrong -but i did not have the power to stop. I came accustom to living this way.  I even convinced myself that the reason i was living the way i lived was at someone else s exspence. That there decisions determined who i was , not my own. WE ALL HAVE A CHOICE. I can assure you that other people do not  determine who and what you are. God gave us free will to decide that for ourselves.

I grew up in church all my life. And was called by God at an early age to expand his kingdom and be a servant for him. But satan put fear in front of me and i chose that path. It hurts me to think if only i had surrendered back then how much God could have used me in my life before now. But i have to be honest there are a lot of regrets in my life but i wouldn’t change anything. God allowed me to endure my own chosen misery for a reason. He has taken my faults and short comings and turned them into strengths.

All of us have failed ourselves or others at some point in this life. We have all done things we wish we could take back. And we all search for true forgiveness for our faults. the point is that we are already forgiven. We are just to comfortable in our own skin to except it. It is here i know because i found it. You may be waiting for someone you know to forgive you.This may never happen. And if it does i assure you it wont be enough. The only true forgiveness comes through Jesus Christ. They might forgive you but can you forgive yourself ? Can you go back to sleeping at night can you stop worrying if someone else is going to find out your secrets. you can not do this on your own. You do not have the power but Christ does. The sooner you surrender and realize you are not in control. The sooner you can find peace, happiness and freedom in this world.

I have heard people say all my life things like-that church thing isnt for me or i beileive theres a God but but i dont know who he is. This realy hurts my heart. Mainly because i know that that Christ died for everybody. And its my job to show them who he is and what he is. I know its hard for people to put faith in something they cant understand or see. Thats why Christ takes screwed up people like me and transforms us into diciples. You can begin to understand his purpose for people and see the miraculas changes in a persons life. If he can change me and my heart he can change anybody. If you knew me then and knew me now you would see what i mean.