Monday, February 25, 2008

Simply Jesus

There’s a lot out there that sounds good to people searching for an answer. And there are a lot of people searching! Whether it is because of a tragedy, financial crisis, illness, or a general disillusionment with this world, once people get to the point where life looks desperate, they want to find something that help them makes sense of things.

I've always heard that a person finds out what’s really inside them once the rubber meets the road, but after having walked through my journey over the past months, this is no longer a cliche. I found out that you can’t hold on to platitudes, traditions, or someone else’s truth to get you through the painful seasons. You have to find what is real.

Enter the greatest controversy of all time: what is truth?

I’m a big believer in KNOWING what you believe and why you believe it—not just parroting off attractive sound bites that you’ve picked up here and there. And the only way for me to be able to do that is to go to the source of everything that I believe to be truth: the Bible. I believe that it is entirely true, beginning to end. Both the portions that fit well into today’s society and the ones that lack a certain politically correct sensitivity. I believe it is all the word of God.

So I’ve read the Bible, and I’ve tried to unpack the message it contains. There is so much that I will never even scratch the surface of, but one thing that I can't miss is Jesus. The Bible is the story of His love for us, shown ultimately through the gift of salvation. The entire book, beginning to end tells me that the answer to life is simply Jesus.

Colossians 1:13-14 says “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Nothing I do (i.e. all of the “good stuff” I try to do or achieve) is ever going to rescue me from the domain of darkness mentioned in these verses. It is Jesus, and Jesus only that can do that!! Verses 19-20 say “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Paul goes on to say in the next chapter that we ought to strive to understand everything about God’s greatest mystery, which is Jesus! He knew that we have to hold on to the truth found in Jesus “so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.” He nailed it.

The very same persuasive arguments he warned about have encircled our culture today in a python like death grip, making it difficult to differentiate God’s truth from the “truth” that has been created to custom fit our society. So much out there tickles the ear and sounds so good that it doesn’t seem possible it could be wrong. The only problem with all of this is that Jesus is not part of the answer. He is the entire answer. Never has that been clearer to me than it is today.

I don’t know what the rest of my life holds for me, but I know that it has already thrown me some curve balls I wasn’t expecting. The loss I've experienced has caused me to reevaluate everything that I've ever thought to be true. And what I have discovered is that Jesus is enough. I don't need the other "fillers" the culture advertises with such success, because like the food at the fair, the attraction ends by the time everything has had a chance to digest. Jesus was enough during the difficult times. He is enough today. He will be enough forever.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen

Laurie in Ca. said...

Thank you for this great truth Angie.
I am so thankful to have it cemented in my heart that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one goes to the Father but by Him. It is a truth that I hold on to with all of my heart and dissolves any desire to search anything else but Him. I know that some people in my life feel I am dug in and narrow minded. That's okay with me. Jesus says that the path is narrow so I am sticking to it. He has brought me through too much to give anyone but Him my heart. I love you and am praying for your dreams of adoption to come.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Jessica said...

Very well said.

The Adoption Of William said...

I totally agree, Jesus is enough. In pain, happiness, fear etc....Jesus is there. When no one else is, Jesus is.


With love and hope,

Jen

Robin said...

Delurking here! Your words were so very well put and I appreciated hearing them. Sometimes I get so discouraged because it seems like Christianity is being changed - from the inside out. When I read testimonies like yours - it helps me remember that Jesus Himself said that the very gates of hell could not prevail against His church. Thank you for reminding me!

Chrissy said...

I have to agree. Very well said! Jesus is the one I have been clinging to throughout this crazy storm and I can only thank and praise him for never leaving my side!

Kenzie said...

Angie-

Thank you for your words of truth and reminding everyone to keep Jesus at the forefront. I know Boothe posted about Oprah and all those things remind me of the almost truth that people try to put out there... it's incredible that someone can be looking hard for so many things to satisfy and help them through life, when Jesus Christ is right there. Amazing.

Love you and praying,
Kenzie

Kim (marygracesummons.blogspot.com) said...

Dear Angie,
I love coming to your site and seeing that you posted. I haven't been able to write lately - having a hard time but I can still count on my friends. And it's so comforting knowing that you and the others know the "truth" - it's comforting to know that I can come here and know that I will read that all you need - all that matters is Jesus, he is the only way any of us can survive this world and what it has to offer, which is death, destruction, fear, anxiety, stress, sadness. Jesus is peace, hope, faith, love ...thanks for the reminder and sharing the truth. I also love seeing the familiar names on the comments. We are all still here for each other...God brought us together and I am so thankful.
I am praying for you and the adoption process, I hope it's moving forward for you....
I love you friend,
Kim

Nikki said...

Hi there, I am just posting on the blogs of anyone who I think may be interested to let them know that Jen, who is adopting William from Liberia, is my Charity of the Month over at Blogs for a Cause. If you want your blog stylized and a chance to help Jen adopt William, check out www.madebynikki.blogspot.com
Thanks!
Nikki