I awoke today and wrote, I am not a Christian, I am only becoming one, and it will take my whole life to conclude the process. I practice being a Christian by worshiping, studying, praying, and by solving the problems I’m confronted with each day. Some days I’m successful, some days I fail miserably.
Seems a strange thing to be pondering during Advent. I suppose it’s the cyclical nature of the year that brings me full circle to the definition of my faith and my role in it. On the one hand it seems incredibly simple: believe in Christ and be kind, unfortunately, my selfish nature frequently rebels with, “not right now,” or “me first.” Paul, too, struggled with the same problem of doing what he shouldn’t and not doing what he should. Perhaps we all do.
So what’s a “becoming” Christian to do? For me, the first thing is to acknowledge that I’m flawed, sinful, and easily led astray, then, to remind myself that God sent Christ to be born in that cold, dreary manger on the first Christmas to take away my sins. Next, morning prayers put into words what I’m striving to become. Finally, I try to practice God’s presence, and do what the day asks of me by putting as many things, events, and people into the context of my faith. The next day, month, season, year, I start all over again.
Lord God, help us all to begin again at Christmas to follow Christ through the coming year. As we trace His life in the gospels from birth, through ministry to death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, help us to constantly practice His Holy Presence until our daily lives become our prayer and our worship. O, Lord, we could receive no greater gift this season than to become your true disciples and to follow where you lead: we could give You no greater gift than the complete and humble efforts of hearts devoted completely to your Will. Amen
