scavenger hunts

I’m sick of people who spout off Jesus’ name or the title of Christianity as though they are God themselves, as though they know everything there is to know about everything. They throw around their own opinions like they are law set in stone. They have in fact re-written the law, re-interpreted it, and their versions are right. I’m exhausted by people throwing Jesus’ name around lightly. I’m tired and bored with america’s version of pretty Christianity, of public prayers with too many words and language we never use. I’m grossed out by prayers that sound like speeches, by prayers that adorn themselves with humility only to get others’ attention……of all the competitions to see who can be more 'christian'. Our version that justifies ourselves while openly condemning others….that is God’s place. And God, could you forgive us the times we use Jesus to make ourselves look good? No more pictures, please, of us walking around with trees in our eyes and hearts made of wadded dollar bills. No more claiming that we can reconcile Jesus to the comfort we obsess over…….. And could someone please spare me the music that makes me want to retch every time I hear it???

I’m sick of cynicism. I’m grossed out by the people who put jesus on like the latest fashion. The people who sit around talking of the other side of the matter….the ones who condemn the form of Christianity that is wrong, but in an effort not to be confused with it, make sure they are onto all the latest trends and fashions….and please, oh please, let me appear to be hip. I will throw in Jesus’ name every once in a while, but make sure it isn’t too often, just in case someone thinks I’m one of ‘those other Christians’ ….you know, the judgmental kind. The one the previous paragraph is about. And I will be all about social justice, all about the environment, etc……. But spare most of the connection it has with Jesus and who he is. Oh, and only give me the cutting verses to hurl at others. But never give me the ones that pierce my bones and make me change. I'm sick of seeing us so concerned as to what we aren't, that we don't know what we are. I’m exhausted with the people who still claim to follow Jesus but have lost every bit of what it means to love him.

Could someone please give me the real Jesus?
The one who is meek and mild, kind and loving, who turns over tables and says really shocking things to the religious people, the know-it-alls. The one who doesn’t need a mirror to look in or fame to grasp for himself, the one that can’t shut up about the kingdom of heaven, but bears no pretense. The one who gave up nearly everything we spend our lives desiring all so that he could love others and bear witness to who our Father is. The one who doesn’t care what people’s opinion of him is, the one who demands everything from us. The one who understands that showing people how to love isn’t easy, nor is it painless. The one who loves the poor, lost, hurting, ignorant,rich, stuck-up, unpopular, enemies, vile people, outcasts of society, even the overly religious…..but his loving was never done to be cool, it wasn’t done to further some ‘image’ he needed to build of himself. The one who gave more back. The one who willingly put my sins, my atrocious self-absorption, my lack of love, on his own back and died for me. the one that doesn't give trite answers about love, who doesn't take the easy route, but instead shows me his hands, and says 'take up your cross and follow me' The one who never stops loving. The one who loves me beyond my limits.

Maybe I should start with myself.

But could someone please give me the real jesus?
Because I’m tired.