Today, I ran across a quote on social media that said,
"Many millennials resent church bc their parents were good at church but not good at life. They struggle attending a place that consumed their parents time but never transformed their private life."
--@imericacampbell
Man, in telling my own story, I have struggled with really putting into words how I could know and love Jesus but still actively pursue the world. I really did know and love Jesus. If I had died, I believe I would have gone to heaven, but had I really fully surrendered my whole life to God? No, absolutely not. Can we be saved and still hold on to little corners of our life? For sure. I would venture to say that this is reality for most Christians. I didn't fully surrender, fully trust the Lord was worth more than any "fun" the world could offer until years after saying I believed in Him.
Now, you may not find yourself running hard after out-loud sin. But, have you fully surrendered your life to Him? Do you believe in Jesus, but when push comes to shove, you trust you to take care of you? Do you believe in Jesus but when worldly fun comes knocking, you are totally fine with compromise? Do you believe in Jesus but if you need to sell your integrity to come out on the up side occasionally, you will? Do you believe in Jesus but when someone crosses you, self control is far from near?
When you fully surrender, you aren't going to hit it out of the park every time, but you are sure going to try. It will transform your private life because you want every decision you make to honor Him and you will trust Him to take care of you if you tell the truth or take the difficult road out of obedience or be more fulfilling than the compromise.
I do not want my inconsistent moralism to be the thing that leaves a bad taste in my kid's mouth about their perfect Savior. Now, their walk will be their walk regardless of my flaws...and flaws there will be, but I want them to see the incredible, grace-filled, counter-culture, always faithful Lord just as He is - worthy to be trusted...worthy to be fully surrendered to...and truly transformative.
