I saw this poem posted on Facebook by a couple of acquaintances this morning:
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not shouting, 'I’ve been saved!'
I’m whispering, 'I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way'
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved"
Okay, is it just me who finds this poem a bit perplexing? I'll go through the poem by stanza.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not shouting, 'I’ve been saved!'
I’m whispering, 'I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way'"
A person chooses to be Christian because they're lost, and even after this choice is made, still gets lost? So what did this decision ultimately do when it comes to finding a sense of direction? Might I recommend a compass or a GPS system...
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide"
We all stumble, but why "need" an invisible super-human to be our guide? Why not look within ourselves? Look back to what our parents taught us? What we learned in school or through work (or other) experiences? Walking straight would help as well.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on"
So, to be Christian is to be weak? Interesting... This stanza makes the writer appear half-suicidal. P90X workouts could be of significant aid in the strength department, and some meds couldn't hurt either.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt"
Being a Christian is sounding more and more depressing. Lost? Weak? Failure? Where do I sign?
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught"
Add confused to the list. Well, I could have said that without reading this stanza. Actually, I kind of insinuated just as much before my dissection of the poem. By the way, nobody knows all. Education can help, as can work experience, traveling, reading books, etc. Asking an invisible superpower for help in that area, however, may not be the most productive of options.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it"
Well, that's good that someone she'll never see, hear, or talk to loves her. That's even a step below long-distance Internet dating right there!
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name"
I think somebody needs a hug - a real one. She could try hugging God, pretending he's a pillow or something, but I highly doubt that will be nearly as satisfying.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved"
Well, whatever makes one feel better, I suppose. But personally, I'd rather feel a sense of strength, choice, and direction than a complete dependency on an invisible being. This writer sounds perplexed, which is perhaps why I was so perplexed upon reading the poem. It's funny how that works.
Now, I think it's time to take a walk and enjoy this beautiful fall-like day - not because I asked God for guidance, but because I just feel like it! ...and also because my dog is begging me to take her.
http://carolwimmer.com/when-i-say-i-am-a-christian
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not shouting, 'I’ve been saved!'
I’m whispering, 'I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way'
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name
When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved"
Okay, is it just me who finds this poem a bit perplexing? I'll go through the poem by stanza.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not shouting, 'I’ve been saved!'
I’m whispering, 'I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way'"
A person chooses to be Christian because they're lost, and even after this choice is made, still gets lost? So what did this decision ultimately do when it comes to finding a sense of direction? Might I recommend a compass or a GPS system...
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide"
We all stumble, but why "need" an invisible super-human to be our guide? Why not look within ourselves? Look back to what our parents taught us? What we learned in school or through work (or other) experiences? Walking straight would help as well.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on"
So, to be Christian is to be weak? Interesting... This stanza makes the writer appear half-suicidal. P90X workouts could be of significant aid in the strength department, and some meds couldn't hurt either.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt"
Being a Christian is sounding more and more depressing. Lost? Weak? Failure? Where do I sign?
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught"
Add confused to the list. Well, I could have said that without reading this stanza. Actually, I kind of insinuated just as much before my dissection of the poem. By the way, nobody knows all. Education can help, as can work experience, traveling, reading books, etc. Asking an invisible superpower for help in that area, however, may not be the most productive of options.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it"
Well, that's good that someone she'll never see, hear, or talk to loves her. That's even a step below long-distance Internet dating right there!
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name"
I think somebody needs a hug - a real one. She could try hugging God, pretending he's a pillow or something, but I highly doubt that will be nearly as satisfying.
"When I say, 'I am a Christian'
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved"
Well, whatever makes one feel better, I suppose. But personally, I'd rather feel a sense of strength, choice, and direction than a complete dependency on an invisible being. This writer sounds perplexed, which is perhaps why I was so perplexed upon reading the poem. It's funny how that works.
Now, I think it's time to take a walk and enjoy this beautiful fall-like day - not because I asked God for guidance, but because I just feel like it! ...and also because my dog is begging me to take her.
http://carolwimmer.com/when-i-say-i-am-a-christian
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