You know the uncle that sort of goes his own way?  Come on, you know the one! He answers the door with his gun, rants and raves against this or that, chases people off his land, and even drips nail polish on ticks so he can watch them die slowly?  You might say he’s kind of an outsider.

You don’t have an uncle like that?  Hmmm…yea, um, me either. ahem.

Well, I sort of feel like that uncle right now…like an outsider…like a crazy radical and I’m going to be gently shoved aside as to not make any waves, or, you know, make anyone feel uncomfortable.

I don’t like feeling like this.

I’m a people pleaser and a peace-maker, so it makes it kind of hard for me to hold onto the truth that my identity is in Christ even if not everyone agrees with me…or likes me  (yucky thought, yucky thought).

Here’s the deal, my convictions have become cemented…oh glory have they!  And you all know me, when I have something in my spirit that is stirred, I cannot help but share it with the world (okay, maybe not the world, but you get my drift).

I am really beating lot’s of air and no bush, aren’t I?

I am what some may call a “conservative” Christian (gotta love labels, eh?).  I believe that the bible is literal, I believe that biblical roles for men and women are commands and not just suggestions or curses, I believe that those who are saved by the choosing and grace of God are to pursue holiness and not “cutesy” Christianity, and I believe that the church today is so afraid of legalism that they have thrown out the obedience that leads to blessing.

Put that tomato down, I’m not through!

It is very unpopular in Christian “circles” to take God at His Word…and follow it.  I’m not talking about being perfect (hello, it’s me here people), I’m talking about the willingness to sacrifice our own hearts and instead let Christ’s heart beat within us.

Some examples?  (Let the throwing commence)

The biblical role of being a keeper of the home.

The biblical role of a wife submitting to her husband, even when her husband is annoying/wrong/visionless/etc.

The biblical role of raising your kiddos for the Lord…throughout the day (if you are able).

The biblical command that a woman is not to teach/preach over a man.

How about just being able to speak truth without being labeled judgmental?

How about living out the truth without being considered legalistic?

I have found that if I share a biblical truth (not a gray area), I am being judgmental and legalistic.  It drives me to keep my mouth shut so I don’t offend my fellow believers.

How has grace become an excuse to live worldly lives?  (My husband calls living this way “gracious rebellion.”)

I thank God for grace!  I know that I am wrecked without it.  I am a totally crummy human being, but for the glorious grace of God (and coffee, of course).

God is judgmental, He has taught me not to be.

So when I share my convictions, they are that, mine.  I won’t push them on you or judge you (seriously, no judging), but I will speak.

And I will be an outsider.

A radical.

A “Do Hard Things” kind of gal.  Even if it means losing…but if only to truly gain.

Posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 and journaled under Living For Him. Follow the coffee talks on this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a Coffee Talk or trackback from your own site. Keep up with Like a Warm Cup of Coffee by subscribing here.