Let's get that right out there.
I was raised Roman Catholic. Then I was raised as an Evangelical Christian. This might explain a thing or two...
Of course, I went through the requisite "doubting my faith" stage. Twice. During my adulthood, after I had a child, then another, of my own.
Sparing you the details, the first faith crisis caused me to ask why I was a Christian. I decided to just read the red letters of the Bible (Jesus' words). And then I decided that yes, I was a Christian. Have you ever done that, just read Jesus' words? It's so powerful, because you get a focused view of what his time on earth was about. It blocked out the noise of what books, pastors, family, etc. was saying. He was more than what He had been reduced to in past venues of my life.
Shortly after, my husband and I had a messy, ugly happening involving the church we had been involved in. It left us shocked and bitter. Then we moved. Crisis of faith, version 2.0. The bigger, scarier version.
During this time, I was also taking a class on world religions. So at this time I was considering un-being a Christian, I was given a full-color menu of the other options. I scoured it. When I came up for air, I decided on Jesus. Not Christianity.
In all the exploring, no religion, Christianity included, treated women the way Jesus did. Many religions, including Christianity at times, blame women's sexuality as the root of all evil. The full blessings of religion are often denied women simply because they are female. It's no wonder many feminists turn their back on religion. Jesus saw women at a time when they were to be ignored. Men were not supposed to talk to women. Over and over, Jesus saw women, spoke to them, offered them their full humanity. A woman with a bad reputation insulted by important men; Jesus defends her and validates her worth (Luke 7:36-50). A woman of the lowest class with several ex-husbands and a current live-in boyfriend (think guest on Jerry Springer), Jesus gave her hope and dignity (John 4:1-42). A woman whose life was wrecked by what was probably a menstrual disorder; Jesus acknowledged her suffering and healed her (Matthew 9:18-22). What great religious leader would do those things, especially in that day? Or this day, really? Quietly acknowledge a woman's personal humiliation? Back down bullies?
That's why I love Jesus.
This right here is why we are best friends. Well one of about a thousand reasons but a really important one. I turn away from all things religious but I have never been able to walk away form Jesus. I am addicted to the way he loved. I hope for us to catch just a eyelash worth. When he stands over the woman at the well, I feel like he stands over me. That Jesus, I tell ya!
ReplyDeleteOK. I'm writing before I read Tashmica's comment, so this may require a follow up.
ReplyDeleteThis one hit me straight in the face. I'm feeling that. That feeling about I just want to know what Jesus said and did. I don't want crap. I want Him. The rest of us screw things up.
So, seriously, I'm reading what Jesus said. What did he say we should do. I'm writing it in a notebook. And I love Him.
Have you read Are Women Human by Dorothy Sayers? It's two fairly short essays. I think we've talked about it before. Anyway, the end of one of those essays is my favorite. It says, in my own version, no wonder women loved Jesus. He treated them like no man ever had.
Don't have much to say right now, but my heart and faith are right here with you.
ReplyDelete