All The Things

Out of all the labels I would us to describe myself, I always identify as Christian first. It is frankly because to me, it is the most important and the one that shapes my life the most. My worldview is shaped by the fact that I’m a Christian, and would be vastly different if I wasn’t. When I was 18 years old, I came to the realization that while I believe in God, prayed to God and had a basic understanding of who Jesus was my entire life, I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. I didn’t know who Jesus was and is. I let go of what I thought about religion and my whole life was turned upside down.

I became a Christian when I was 18, and shortly after an undergrad professor asked me, “Why do you follow Jesus? Is it because, it’s easy to just be a Christian?” (I think he was referring to the assurance of heaven being an easy way out.) I was taken aback because I don’t even know how he knew this about me, and didn’t know what to say, but ended up sharing that NOTHING about being a Christian was easy for me. Being a Christian was actually very hard for me (although, I know somewhat easy, compared to many around the world.) People in my life did not approve and my life plans changed. Not only that, but it required that I make difficult decisions and that I serve others instead of myself. Yes, Jesus is enough. My works, and service are not needed. So in that way, there is an ease and freedom in Jesus. But, I was serious about following Jesus and that meant a lot for me. A lot of letting go and relearning.

When I think about who I am-believer in Jesus is always first. I know this label perhaps is the most controversial, this is nothing new. It was controversial for Paul when he wrote Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” But when I look at the world two things are clear: it is broken and it needs a savior. This trumps anything and everything else–and, I know, there is a lot of “else” we can debate and get caught up in, but for me there is a heaviness and hovering-freedom in the hope of Jesus that is the most beautiful juxtaposition this world needs.