I had a friend ask me one day, “why are you charismatics are so emotional. You are always looking for the next great experience.” Why can’t you just be content reading the Word and forget about all of this whoopla? Now while some, who find themselves lumped into the “charismatic” camp, actually find this aspersion quite offensive and vigorously defend their position in the body of Christ, I just tend to agree with my friend.
Before you get huffy, read on. First of all, I am a follower of Jesus Christ, not a charismatic, bapticostal, or any other “ic”,”ite,”or “stal.” Secondly, His Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost! Two thirds of His kingdom is EMOTION, and I choose to pursue it…emotionally!
I saw this great saying in a store the other day that said: “Life’s journey is not meant to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting holy cow, what a ride!” If we’re going to live life on this earth, then let’s LIVE LIFE, and live it out loud. Find your passion and do it, all the while doing as unto the Lord. Yes, by all means read and study God’s word to show yourself approved. But faith without works is dead. Do the stuff. If you can express your emotions at your favorite sporting event, how much more so should you do it for your Creator and God?
Recently I met with a couple of gentlemen who had a deep desire to more passionately express themselves in their relationship with God but they were found wanting. They love the Lord but their personality types were such that while brilliant when it comes to analyzing, it was frustrating for them as they discovered that they were unable express their emotions in a more demonstrative way.
Maybe we can all learn from each other. Maybe we are all different parts of the same body working together for one purpose. Imagine yourself standing next to Jesus as you look at that other Christian that doesn’t believe the way you do. How would you speak about them to Jesus? We are on the same team. WE WIN! Let’s live like it now and see what God might do for us later.
Finish Well,
Tom Davis