The Grace Conundrum

I know, to banish anger altogether from one's breast is a difficult task. It cannot be achieved through pure personal effort. It can be done only by God's grace. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Hi, everyone. Adam here. I'm so happy to be writing again. So many things have happened in my life over the past few months, and they've all been crazy and wonderful at the same time. 

Spiritually speaking, my walk with Christ and my relationship with God continues to evolve. I'm still asking scary questions. I'm still seeking answers. I'm still embracing doubt. I'm still a crazy liberal Jesus freak.

Perhaps I'm a bit nicer when it comes to my many issues with the state of modern evangelical conservatism. Perhaps I'm practicing what I preach (or trying to, at least). 

Grace, grace, grace. 

I'm a huge fan of grace. Any self-respecting follower of Christ appreciates grace and the freedom that comes with it. Those who prefer to remain enslaved by arbitrary laws -- well -- they're missing out. Some of these types may insist that I follow suit. Some of them have tried to pull me back in to the trap of legalism, anti-intellectualism, and various other "isms" that require me to fully accept a questionable doctrine or agenda without question.

Give up to grace. The ocean takes care of each wave 'til it gets to shore. You need more help than you know. -Rumi

This is where grace becomes hard. This is an area where God has convicted me.

The aforementioned types of individuals immediately put me on the defensive. I've struggled so hard and so long with my faith - this faith that has shaped me into the person that I am today - that any subtle attempts to challenge that and drag me back to the shallow end must be resisted, by any means necessary. I can lose myself in these situations. I get agitated easily.

But I'm getting better.

I'm willing to put grace into action. I'm willing to agree to disagree, to wish you well on your journey, your own unique quest for truth - whatever that may be.

I'm trying, people! I'm anything but perfect, and I wouldn't have it any other way.