Getting Real!

"Truth is stranger than fiction. That's because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities, and truth isn't." This statement was made by Mark Twain, an unbeliever, who was simply making an observation on the nature of reality. I don't know what kind of an impact this statement has on unbelievers - but to me, this is mind-blowing! This should shatter our Christian complacency and awaken us to "get real", to get in touch with truth (those of us who claim to have a relationship with him who said he was "the truth"). For too long we have been lulled into active unbelief, having developed a theology, or rationale, that serves to only protect us from admitting that we have failed, that we're not as spiritually astute as we pretend to be. One way I think this happens is by putting things in either the past tense or the future tense rather than fully engaging it as a present truth or reality. Take, for example, the following Scripture:

No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him. (I Cor. 2:9)

Are we supposed to wait until Jesus comes back to see that verse fulfilled? Or is it possible that God intends for us to at least begin to experience that reality in the present?

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)

"...greater works than [the works that I do] shall [he that believes on me] do ..."
(Jesus, John 14:12)

I don't know about you, but I am ready for the adventure of a lifetime! I am hungry for the truth, for reality! I'm tired of words, words that promise much but leave me empty. It's time to do less talking and more putting ourselves out there on the line, taking God at his word and obeying him. To me this is more than an attempt to radically apply "Biblical principles." It has to be personal. We have to be able to hear the voice of the Spirit in the depths of our being, speaking those words of life to us - words that, when obeyed, will transform and lead to those "greater works" that Jesus promised to those who would believe him.

Do you believe? Do I believe? Do we really?

It's time for us to get real.



"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified;
do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever
you go." (Jos. 1:9)