Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

So, here’s the deal. It’s pretty easy to say we’re all about Jesus, right? We just repeat a prayer and maybe throw our hands up in a big gathering. But here’s the thing: I’ve got a bit of a problem with that approach. Why, you ask? Well, if you can’t even raise your hand in front of a bunch of other Christians, what’s gonna happen when you step outside into the real world? We can’t be all stealthy about our faith, folks. We’re called to shine our light for all to see!

Jesus made it crystal clear when He said, “If you deny me here on earth, I’ll deny you before my Father up in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33) No room for doubt there. Deny Jesus, and He’ll deny you right back when it actually counts! Yikes! So, in my humble opinion, if we can’t proudly proclaim in a church that we’re choosing to follow Jesus, then we’re basically denying Him.

Sometimes, we kinda ignore Jesus or pretend we’re all secretive about being Christian when we go to places we shouldn’t be – like bars, watching certain movies, going to parties with drugs or booze, or getting ourselves into iffy situations with people of the opposite sex. But when we do stuff that goes against what God wants for us, trying to fit in with the world and all, it’s like we’re saying “No thanks, Jesus” for that moment. Can we really just choose when to follow Him? He’s like, “Nah, take up your cross and follow me every single day – not just when it’s easy.” Like it says in Luke 9:23 (paraphrased), “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you gotta let go of your own stuff, carry your cross every day, and stick with me, dude.’”

We’re all trying to do our Christian thing on the down low, you know? Worshiping God in secret and trying to fit in with the cool kids. I get it, the world can be a scary place and it’s becoming tougher to openly embrace our faith. But seriously, are we just gonna cower in fear? Nah, let’s be a people who have faith, who speak up for God without holding back!