Christian Living

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This morning after I dropped my mother off at work, the oldies station played Paul McCartney's 'Live and Let Die' song--one of those he did with Wings.

Listen to the first part of it: "When you were young and your heart was an open book, you used to say live and let live--but if this ever changing world in which we live in makes you give in and cry----it's live and let die".

No longer 'I'm gonna live over here while you live over there but we're still friends anyway'. Now it's 'I'm gonna live over here doing things MY way, and if you don't agree and go along with me, then I'm coming after you and buddy, you're going down!'

It's true. We all unfortunately come to that place at some point in our lives. Think back to when you were young. You didn't worry, you embraced every new day with all its possibilities, you loved openly and without fear, you trusted the people around you. Every thing, every day held wonder for you. Then, as the years passed, people began to let you down, you started to see some of the ugliness, getting up in the morning wasn't fun anymore. You began to fear giving of yourself and lost the ability to love freely and without hesitation because by then, you learned that other people's motives are not always pure and right. You began to see more trouble and strife than beauty and joy.

Your innocence was being stripped away from you. You realized that if you didn't look out for yourself and your own interests, no one else would. Now, you have to search out the joy, the wonder. Our world is, sadly, a very dangerous place. We do have to be careful to protect ourselves and our children. We have to fight the injustices that are being perpetrated on others. We have to stand up when it seems everyone else is sitting down.

Those words in that song hold a timeless meaning. But it doesn't have to be that way. It should never be that way. We cannot give in to this mentality! The words are true but do we really have to get to the point where we look around at everyone else and say, in effect--I'm living, even as you're dying? I am more important. I must look out for number one--me. No, we don't. As followers of Christ, we aren't supposed to put ourselves first. We are supposed to desire His will first. No matter what everyone else is doing, for us or against us, we have a guideline, a standard to uphold. We put other people ahead of ourselves whenever possible. That's how it's supposed to work. Think of a world where everyone is so busy looking after others that they forget themselves for a bit, only to turn around and find that while they've been working hard to help another, someone has come along and attended to them and their interests! That world is coming, friends! We are standing at the edge of it!

Jesus is able to restore that childlike innocence and trust. He is able to remove the fears and put trust and love in place of them.

Think back to many, many years ago. Think of the example that was set. Here is a man, reviled, spit upon, beaten, lied about, misunderstood, attacked. Think of this one single man, making His way up a hill while being jeered by a crowd of people, with blood running down His face. He could have turned that mob on their ears and struck them all dead. But He didn't. He carried on His back, which was bloody and sore, a heavy cross of wood--His death weapon. Think about it. He carried the very instrument which would shortly become the very thing used to torture and kill Him.

When He was hit, He never hit back. When He was hurt, He never hurt back. When He suffered, He didn't turn around and take it out on whoever happened to be standing near him.

He watched as some of His beloved disciples and friends turned their backs on Him and denied even knowing Him. Even after all they'd shared. Much like today. Did He stop loving them? Did He abandon them? Did He say, "I give up. I'm done with you-I can't take any more of this"?

No. He never gives up. Even though we deserve it. Even though we let him down countless times in countless ways every single day. He doesn't stop loving us either, not even when we turn out backs on him. He waits. He endures our denials and our backsliding and our lies. Kind of like a parent who is waiting up for a teenager who has missed their curfew again.

Guard your heart against things that keep you away from Him. He can restore us back to our childlike states. Who cares if people call you an innocent and naive? These things seem to be almost dirty words now. The fact is, the ability to remain innocent and naive in this world is a gift that only God can provide. A treasure to be held closely. These are things to be proud of, not ashamed. Next time someone says to you, "You're such an innocent!" or "You're so naive!", don't tuck your head down. Hold it up and smile broadly because you have been protected by Your Father, held very closely and shielded lovingly. We have all the knowledge we need to survive because our best friend is the One who grants all knowledge. He directs our footsteps. How, with Him leading, could we ever go wrong?

Be that person who stands up and says, "Live and let live". Don't let your heart ever get so hard that you can say easily, "Live and let die".

If you find yourself getting to that place, reread the story of His crucifixion (especially the part where He tells the sinner on the cross beside Him that he would be in paradise with Him, that day! He wasn't just talking to that guy--He was talking to all of us too! I find it amazing!), reread the Sermon on the Mount, reread the story of this remarkable person and the things He did. In fact, just read the whole New Testament over again! Pay close attention to the things He is still doing. Listen to Him, and you will be blessed. Seek Him and you will definitely find Him. Walk with Him! Ask Him to walk with you!

Guard your heart and make sure Jesus is front and center. Find that childlike wonder again, grab it with both fists and don't let go. Your life will be blessed, and your heart won't be troubled. Study these words and commit them to your memory--"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". (John 14:27, NKJV)

God Bless You, and your hearts!



NOTE: There are verses in the Bible about guarding our hearts, and about God guarding our hearts, but while I know they're there, I can't find them. Biblical scholar I'm not. I know what the Bible says but most times if you ask me to pinpoint it, I can't! If anyone would be so kind as to point me to these verses, I'd be most grateful. Thanks!

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