Should a Christian Live in the Dark and Disorder?

I've been reading a book called, "I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt", and it's great.  There are a couple thoughts in the book that lead me to this post.

1.  "If all a Christian has to do is stay on the straight and narrow path of obedience by doing right and not doing wrong, does it really matter if Jesus is out in front or not?"  This quote from the book has really triggered a lot of thoughts for me.  How many people are doing exactly what they are "supposed" to do, yet aren't following Jesus at all?  So much of what I see in the church today is about following the rules, fitting in, and being good.  Basically, all about behavior modification.  But where's Jesus in that?  What about the person who knows they hear Jesus telling them to go into a strip club and they end up ministering to a girl (it has really happened)?  We all know you shouldn't do that, but I'm sure glad they did.  

Jesus came to the dark and disordered part of society to do His work, so why would his "prophets" today be telling us to avoid those places?  Jesus didn't go to those places to leave them dark and disordered, he brought light and order and beauty to where there was none.  Isn't this our job, too?

I also read a thought in this book that basically translates that Jesus's primary concern isn't getting you to stop sinning, it's to get you to experience His love.  The sin will probably fall away, but it isn't His focus.  I agree with this.  How many fathers' primary concern is when their kids mess up vs. making sure they know they are loved?  How much more from our heavenly Father?

I hope we are listening to Jesus, and I hope we aren't afraid to follow Him to the dark and disordered places in this world.  It's where He would have been (read that as where He is), and it's where He wants us to bring His love.

The Precious One

So, do you remember that toy?  You know, the one you couldn't live without?  The one that once you had it you carried it around everywhere?  The one that you wouldn't have given up for anything in the world, even though it was the rattiest, worn-down, overly played with toy in the house.  

Okay, now that you've got that toy in mind, stop reading for just a minute, close your eyes, and just remember how much you loved it.  Remember the fun times you had with it. . .

Are you ready?  Now, honestly, what would that toy be worth?  Whether you bought a new one or found an old one at a flea market, I'm sure it really wouldn't be worth all that much.  Still, you wouldn't have parted with it for a year's salary, or even a million bucks maybe.  Nothing could have changed how precious you thought that toy was.  The funny thing is, it wasn't precious on it's own, it was your love that made it so valuable.

Now stop and think about your own life.  I would suggest that you are way more valuable than you realize, possibly even more valuable than you think possible.  It's nothing you've done, it's the fact that God's love has made you so precious.  Maybe you don't believe in God, or that He created you with a special purpose.  That doesn't change the fact that you are precious to Him, and His love makes you more valuable than all the money in the world.  

We live in a world that tells us our worth is determined by what we do, yet I think our worth was determined before we made any choices in this life at all.  Think about that, and then bask in the love of a Daddy. . .