Have you noticed that when people come out as Christians they add the caveat "but I'm not perfect" I wonder why that is? It must have something to do with the fact that Jesus was perfect, and well, as our twin older brother(I once heard a preacher refer to Jesus as such and it stuck), we have a lot to live up to.
Christians as any group come in all shapes and sizes. Some drink, some don't, some say shoot instead of shit, some go to clubs and pop that thang, some only move with Holy Ghost praise, some go to church, some don't, some pray before meals, others just stick their fork and bite. You get my point. What then makes us different from any other culture, group, or diverse community?
Pluralism means that in today's society there is a place for everyone. If you're a Muslim, Buddist, Jewish with Christian tendencies there is a "seat for you at the table". If you are a queer Christian and woman of color and atheist, there is a seat for you at the table. If you are a witch with Catholic roots, there is also a seat for you at the table. Think about the greatest paradox: like a gay, Christian, agnostic, Bahia dinosaur man/woman-- I'm pretty sure people would worship you based on your rarity, you most definitely have a seat at the table .
Okay, so how does this all come together? Where is centrality and unification among Christians? What is the common thread in our beliefs and intricately woven theologies? Is our only commonality the label or word Christian? Is Christian just another buzz word to tag on to our many labels? When we say Christian do we mean we want to be more like Christ? Or are we just taking advantage of the "dominant" religion we love to hate on, yet conveniently assert to give us the cool-effect of a walking paradox?
Next time somebody meets me will they notice my labels before they notice my love for Jesus? Or will they ignore my labels, because they question my love for Jesus? When will it be less about our labels that define us and color our made-up yet real world and come back to our Saviour, older twin brother and best friend Jesus? What motives then do we have for labels, and why must we assert that we are not perfect? Is that not a given? Today I have many questions, no caveats, and just dwelling on this truth:
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
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