Saturday, March 28, 2009

The End

Today, I finished the manuscript I have struggled with for months. Waves fist in a triumph punch. Yes! It's hard to say goodbye to characters you've worked to give life. You get to know them, what they like, dislike. You see them make mistakes in love (will those two EVER get it right???) and then it's over. They ride off into the sunset, oblivious to the one who created them.

Ouch. Sounds too much like what we do as Christians sometimes. Oblivious to the One who created us.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Heart Check

I spend a lot of time in doctors' offices and with the cardiologist because of my daughters' dysautonomia. The cardiologist checks my daughter's heart, downloads the information from her heart recorder so he can check what went on with her heart.

If only it were that easy as Christians to check our heart condition. What if we could hook up to a machine and get a print out. What would mine say? What would yours say? Would it say selfish? Lustful? Too concerned with the world? Too legalistic? Too sanctimonious?

We can fool people by our outward appearance. Faithful to church. Carry a Bible as big as a Volvo, speak all the 'right' Christian-ese. "I'll pray for you, brother, sister." "No, everything's fine."

But deep, deep down, how's the condition of your heart? Tired of going to church? Sick of the way some so called Christians act? Wish you could serve the Lord just enough to appease your conscious? Do you not think the Lord knows EXACTLY how you feel? What you're thinking? Did you know you can be honest with Him? Lord, I love you, but I don't enjoy going to church. Lord, I get too busy for You. I like having my own way. I'm afraid You'll interfere with my plans for my life. You think He doesn't know this already? He does and you know what? It's OKAY to be genuine in front of the Lord. You don't have to wear a mask. You don't have to be a 'good Christian'. He knows because He's the ultimate cardiologist. He can see all that goes on in your heart.

So get your heart checked. You won't take Him by surprise. He won't think less of you.