10 Things to Love about Being a Christian
I was recently asked in an interview, “Carol, what exactly do you love the most about being a Christian?”
And, while the obvious answer quickly bubbled up in my soul and tumbled quickly across my lips, the piercing question caused the “philosophical me” to ponder its implications.
What do I love most about being a Christian?
What do you love most about being a Christian?
What does anyone love about being a Christian?
As a result of my intense ponderings, I came up with this very inadequate list … but I hope that it will encourage you to take stock of your faith as well.
What I Love Most About Being a Christian
1 – I love having constant access to His presence where there is always fullness of joy. I love being the beneficiary of a joy that defies my circumstances and even trumps my disappointments. I love the joy He has so richly bestowed on me … a formerly depressed Christian.
“You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Psalm 16:11
2 – I love walking by faith and not by sight. And incredible reality of the Christian life is that we are not defined by the horrid situations in our lives, the trouble that comes our way or the mistakes that we or others have made. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, in the middle of a turbulent storm, trouble dissipates and faith increases. We, as believers in Jesus Christ, are given the gift of looking at all things through faith-colored glasses!
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
II Corinthians 5:7
3 – I love knowing that I serve a God who doesn’t lie and whose promises are, “Yes!” and “Amen!” in Jesus Christ. When I am in a fierce battle … I quote a promise. When I am afraid … I remind myself of a promise. When worry knocks at the door of my heart … I answer with a promise. When my life caves in … I prop it up with a promise! It’s the only way to live!
“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”
II Corinthians 1:20
4 – I love knowing that God hears me when I pray. I can whisper a tiny prayer … or shout toward heavens … and He hears me. He bends down to catch every word that I fling in His wonderful direction. He doesn’t ignore me … nor does He merely tolerate me … but He listens intently to every word that I speak to Him.
“O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear.”
Psalm 10:17
5 – I love knowing that I serve a faithful God. He is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do. He never changes through all the seasons in my life. I can depend upon His faithful love … His faithful kindness … His faithful mercy … His faithful power. He knows of no other way to be than faithful. And wonder of it all … He is faithful to me!
“This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:21 – 23
6 – I love reading the Bible and knowing that it is God’s love letter written specifically to me. If I were the only person who ever lived … He still would have written His Word to me. I am in awe every time I open the Bible … my jaw drops … my heart pounds … and I gulp in His presence. I love knowing that hundreds of thousands of saints who have lived in the epochs before me … held the same Bible in their hands and learned about God. I love the Bible!
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105
7 – I love knowing that He is enthroned in my praises … that when I worship Him … He shows up! He makes Himself at home when I sing my heart out to Him. The song of my heart is important to my Father, and He bids me to be noisy in His beautiful presence!
“But You are Holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”
Psalm 22:3
8 – I love knowing that absolutely nothing is too difficult for Him! He can heal … forgive … provide … sustain … love … open doors … close doors … mend broken hearts … and perform miracles! He holds eternal power in His hands and in His presence! What an amazing assurance … I can rest knowing that I am protected by His power!
“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You!”
Jeremiah 32:17
9 – I love knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me! I have the power of Christ dwelling in my human body! How amazing is that?!
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;”
II Corinthians 4:7
10 – I love knowing that no matter what I dream about … or pray for … He is able to do far more abundantly beyond everything that I have asked for! My biggest, most gargantuan dreams are tiny to Him. I honor Him when I pray for the impossible!
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”
Ephesians 3:20
What a delight … an absolute delight … to know Jesus as my dearest Friend and my Savior! I am so grateful to be a Christ-follower!
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart, but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is.