Being Christian In A Modern World
Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2007
by Judi Lake
Judi Lake Advertising
It has always amazed me how many Christians ‘choose’ to live life complacently. Frankly, if I didn’t personally believe in Jesus Christ, I wouldn’t see the point of being a Christian. It is my belief that since Christ lives within us, we are to ‘live’ life fully alive and yet many choose to ‘sleepwalk’ through life.
God didn’t make fools, yet we often act like ones so what type of witness is that for others to want to follow God? Hardly any.
I will give you an example.
I am presently struggling with finding proper medical care for my father. ‘The System’ wants me to put him away in a nursing home and ‘my gut’ knows he is not receiving proper medical care. If I remained ‘complacent’ I would remain ignorant, however, through investigation and tireless research, my ‘gut’ was correct and I am now in the process of having his former medical team and hospital investigated by Medicare. Why? Because, maybe, just maybe, my ‘fight’ will make it easier for the next elder who visits that hospital. If my dad were alone, as many elderly people are, he would have been unwillingly transported to a nursing home and ‘drugged’ for the remainder of his days.
Some of my ‘Christian’ friends are in disagreement with me. I have heard every biblical scripture spurted at me to remain submissive but my ‘gut’ is telling me that my actions are pleasing to the Lord. If I don’t stand up for my father, who will, and it is Christ within me that gives me my boldness, not Judi.
There is a place for righteous anger but it is how we ‘use it that is important’.
Many years ago when I decided to open up my own Advertising Agency on Madison Avenue, I was criticized by a great many of my ‘Christian’ friends. It was something I ‘just knew’ I had to do. Without a client to my name, I rented office space on the Avenue and was literally singing the Sinatra song, “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere, New York, New York…"
My rent was an astronomical 10K a month and, my friends foresaw my immediate failure. I did not. Why? Because ‘my gut’ told me ‘it was time’ and I had faith. I knew that God would open the right doors for me and He did. My Agency remained successful for over ten years until I decided to work from home.
During ‘my Agency Gig’, I worked with many celebrities and, ironically, each evening when I went to Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, I was joined by some of them. Somehow, the Lord had used me to show other’s that ‘it is absolutely cool’ to love the Lord. And it is.
I never understood why many Christians have a fear for success? Why? It is not money and fortune that will demise us, it is how we ‘honor’ it. Money can do many wonderful things, especially in the times we are in. I actually think that the premise of feeling ‘unworthy’ towards success is an insult to God. If we are made in His image, provided our intentions are pure and wholesome, why not be the very best we can be?
It has been my habit that with each award I receive or acknowledgement I get, I look up and thank Him and hope ‘I made Him proud’. When we were little, did we not excitingly run to our parents with each new art-piece or school project to gain applause? Well, if God is truly our ‘Daddy’ why not let Him share in each accomplishment? I am sure that He is thrilled when any of His own brings about great things. He is a loving Father and He is our loving ‘Daddy’. As children of the King, it is important that we utilize all of our ‘God-given gifts’ wasting none.
Through the Holy Spirit, God has equipped us with the courage to withstand anything. There is wisdom in becoming ‘like a little child’, wholly trusting Him even through diversity. For me, it is only through His Grace that I can move forward.
In 1982, due to the fact that I am a ‘DES’ baby, I had developed cervical cancer. I was young, unmarried and my surgeon wanted to perform a complete hysterectomy on me. I stubbornly refused. He told me that it would be impossible for me to ever bear children yet my ‘gut’ told me that I would have a child one day. I don’t know why, but ‘I just knew’.
Ten years later, cancer free, I gave birth to a healthy 8-½ pound baby girl. My faith knew what the doctors did not. Of course, not everyone is as fortunate as I was but He delivers what man cannot.
We live in tortuous times. I have to believe that there is still enough ‘good’ in the world for us to continue. Our times today hold no true leadership but only ‘managers’ and, the time is here ‘that what was once wrong is now right’. We, who believe, cannot afford to ‘sleepwalk’ through life but rather awaken and be true witnesses of our Father. Complacency will not gain our freedom back, discernment and action will. In solidarity, Christians should not be fearful to stand up for what is right.
In closing, Ecclesiastes 3:8 (thank God, I remembered it…) comes appropriately to mind:
“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace."
For those 'who believe' let our time be now.
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More commentsOops I did not mean to be anonymous. my mistake.No worries, Angie, I too forget to click on my name and, like you did, wind up adding an 'oops' ... smile... I am glad you enjoyed the article, just wrote from my heart. Thanks for your comments!
Great Article Judy you say it all well. I know exactly what you are going through because my mom wasclose to death on a few occasions. Today the doctors tell me she is as fit as an 80 year old, off medicine and except that she has been dropped by professionals five or six times, treated in error and on about 15 pills she most likely would still be walking. She now just takes her suger medicine, a baby aspirin, and a multi vitamin, sharp as a tac and except for not walking in good shape, praise the Lord. Well we have talked before so you know I feel exactly like you. The Lord did not tell us to just sit still and not talk out about injustice, wrongs, crime or sin. No these are actually acts of Mercy according to Catholic Catechism and belief. Its strange they don't seem to want to speak to it. Keep up the good work, I am sure God places people like you in spots when He wants to demonstrate to those who talk the show what it is to believe in the show. Take Care, BobThanks for your comments, Robert and I am happy that your mom is doing better. A great deal of the elderly are being over medicated but since we are in the 'get 'em in quick and get 'em out quick' society, that seems to work fine for the medics... only it creates grave problems for the patients. Many do not agree with me, but I really believe that if Christ was walking the earth today as He was over 2000 years ago, the same thing would happen all over againl; He'd be re-crucified. Hope your weekend is great!
Your Love shows throughout your article. Very nice. Love is the universal salve that can move us, toward each other.Yes, E., Love can move us, providing we get out of our own way. Thanks for your comments, E.
Thank you for the inpiration. It is time to be examples of why we are Christians, and not examples of white washed shells. Keep holding onto your faith for it is in our faith that we find peace and contentment. God's BlessingsRichard, yes, we as Christians should not be, as you said, examples of white washed shells, especially with all the craziness in this world and all the kids walking around in confusement. Thanks for your kind comments!
Judi, great article! I think alot of "Christian" people think they know best when they try to talk someone out of doing something. I know they have good intentions, but I think it is more Christian to support that person and trust in "their" faith that they will be successful! Anyway, I love your articles so keep up the good work! By the way, I can't get that song out of my head now....Thanks! (laughing)Well, James, to try to talk someone out of something is a bit of manipulation and sometimes that does happen innocently. For me, 'my gut' has always been the Holy Spirit and many have viewed me as a rebel but if I didn't listen, one example is that I wouldn't have my Laura today. Thanks for your really kind comments and if you want, you, me, James and David can do a little sing-a-long of that song...smile. btw: you do know I am a fan of yours, I really enjoy your articles as well!
hi judi, we share a lot of the same views, thank you for putting it so eloquently. if not for faith, i don't know what shape i'd be in. however, my faith is strong, so here i am world. thanks for a very moving and inspiring article. best regards, sue thomWell, Sue, isn't 'faith' believing in what can not be seen? I couldn't go forward without it and the leader, for me, has to be God or I would screw up constantly. Thanks for your comments, Sue, I always appreciate them.
Judi, Article..well done! Thank God for those that truly take God's Word for what it is. The Truth. Talk about a woman of faith - you are and God truly reward those that seek him. Following our gut so to speak or the Holy Spirit will save us sooo much trouble. I often thank God for even saving me in spite of going past that gut feeling sometimes and still being safe in his arms. Thanks for sharing!Thank you so much for your kind comments, Iris! Yes, the 'gut' for me is The Holy Spirit and how we need it! Keep all your articles coming, I really enjoy them!
Judi, Beautifully written testimony! Thanks for sharing and encouraging all of us to use the discernment that God gave us. When you use your gifts to glorify Him, the gift grows!I just believe what I believe and Christians must not live in fear because through God we can handle anything. Thank you so much, Joseph!
Hey Judi: Your gut feeling about Christianity is right. But you've been hypnotized for 2000 yrs by them, and it is not easy to wake up from the trance. This is your condition. While we live on Earth, we don't realize how vast our solar system, galaxy and the universe are. We are surrounded by endless mysteries of Existence, not knowing where we came from or where we're going. This is why organized religions thrive because they invent answers to mysteries of Existence that have no answers and by so doing, most human beings are able to live their lives without going insane. In reality, nothing in Existence can be explained. That is why those who are wise and who have known Existence remain silent while the rest of the fools keep blabbering their mouths. Eventhough all organized religions are deceitful and scams, they serve useful purpose: to keep human beings sane. Therefore, I criticize and condemn them but still don't want them to be destroyed. They are necessary evils. They are needed because human beings are still childish. When they grow up and become adults, they would become wise and would not have any more needs for toys like Christianity and others. Scogos
Hi Judi, I love what you said about "Scripture throwing Christians" I am in love with the word of God, and His word teaches us about the importance of relationships. Jesus didn't just quote Scripture, He befriended people. It's my aim. I believe the best way to be an example is to live the word, not just preach it. Though, there are times to preach, there are many more times to just be a friend! I like to way you think. God Bless.
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