-There are 32.1 million voters registered as independents, undeclared, or no affiliation.
–from usafacts.org
-For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
–Ephesians 6:12
-“You know, some Christians are surprised to find that this life as a follower of Jesus is not a cakewalk; it’s a conflict. It’s not a playground; it’s actually a battleground…the day you committed your life to Jesus Christ…that was the day the devil declared war on you…”
–Greg Laurie, from the sermon “This is War”
-When your Christian friends think you’re too worldly, but your secular friends think you’re a religious prude…”There is no place for me in the world. I’m going into the wilderness, probably to die.”
–from a meme featuring Jack Black
I’ve been experiencing the above tension in my faith walk for a loooong time. At present I feel myself being equally yanked about, rather violently, in a political tug-of-war…
A war of extremes.
See, I’m one of the 32.1 million…somewhere in the middle, not fitting neatly into either “box.” I exist in the acreage of “in-between.” Unfortunately, that has become a no-man’s land…a desolate place hemmed in by endless stretches of barbed wire and snipers, and if you are walking within its confines, one side or the other will try to drag you over, take you out, or at least aim pot shots at you.
I’ve had my character and faith questioned. I’ve been told I am clueless…or uncaring…or both. Someone shared that being an independent is the “most cowardly, gutless, wussy option” a person can take (a little redundant, but, um, thanks for the unsolicited opinion!). During a discussion I had believed would be based on curiosity and respect, a friend spat out, “Admit it! You’re a Christian Nationalist Extremist!”
“Well,” I replied gently,” I’m sorry you feel that way.”
For the record, I don’t even know what that label actually means, only that it wasn’t intended to be a compliment. Certainly it was effective at ending the conversation, if that was the goal. The truth is, I can’t possibly adopt anything that sounds that…officially bada**. I’m fairly introverted. I’m not a “joiner.” I don’t have favorite teams in any sport except hockey (I’m North Dakotan, it’s genetic). I have no problem with gray areas. Basically, I don’t look at anything as a “pick a side, ride or die” issue…
Except one.
I stand firm in the camp of Jesus.
I fight for myself, for others, for Him. I have been dispatched to deliver the Good News whenever and wherever I can, until my final breath on this field of battle…
Jesus is my Lord and Savior. He is the Savior of the world. He is the only way to salvation. He is the only way to the Father.
Yeah. I guess you could say…I’m extreme.
My friend Deb hit it out of the park in a recent comment…
“Well, I personally love my Christian Nationalist Extremist friend. It made me chuckle, and I know it wasn’t meant to. When you love the Lord and have been saved through the death and resurrection, you tend to be a little extreme. He (Jesus) did a pretty extreme thing for us and I think it’s ok for us to be extreme in our gratefulness!”
This Easter season, I am overflowing with awe, worship, and gratitude in the extreme…
for His extreme Love…
His extreme Sacrifice…
His extreme GRACE.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!!!