This is what I shared recently with my congregation in Junction City: the 10 things I feel are most important to remember as followers of Jesus.
1) The Bible is not my God. It is my responsibility as a Christian to study and learn from this sacred text without using it as a substitute for a living relationship with God. When the Bible becomes an idol, it can easily become a weapon.
2) God does not need to be defended. As a follower of Jesus I believe that God is even more powerful than death itself. Any “battle over God” is based on an agenda and self-righteousness.
3) To me, Jesus is what love looks like in human form. I trust that God is love. This means that when I see Jesus, I see God. And I realize that my life, too, can be an opening for love in this world. I believe God can move in and through anyone.
4) It is not the details of my beliefs about God that save me. I know too many people who are truly worried that if they haven’t adopted the right beliefs, they are doomed. Jesus taught first and foremost that God is love. I think he would be appalled at how we have cluttered his teachings and turned faith into fear.
5) I cannot be a follower of Jesus all by myself. I can certainly admire, appreciate, even love him all by myself. But to live his teachings means that I am already part of the “kingdom of God” as it unfolds. And I believe this kingdom is a community — not a government with Jesus on a throne, not a utopia where there is no conflict — but rather a way of living that values peace and justice and the rule of love.
6) Prayer is speaking the truth to God with an open heart and mind. It is utter honesty, hiding nothing.
7) I believe we live in a climate of grace — everyone — for all time. There is nothing anyone has done or might do that is beyond God’s love and forgiveness. Nothing. Some people don’t believe this. I see God’s grace all around them, but since they don’t know it or trust it, they don’t experience the freedom and ease this awareness can bring in life. I believe they miss something now — but I also believe they aren’t condemned later.
8) God is always offering at least one loving possibility. I look for it. In any life or circumstance, the presence of love brings hope and makes a huge difference.
9) Love is not merely how I feel. Love is action — on purpose. Love is action even when I don’t feel very loving — especially when I don’t feel very loving.
10) There is always more love. Even in these trying times, there is love in abundance. This means I can be wildly extravagant, loving any and all with abandon — and still there is more love. For God is love and love never ends.
Barbara Nixon has served as pastor of United Methodist Church in Junction City for five years. She moves this summer to Boise, where she looks forward to serving as senior pastor at Hillview United Methodist Church and connecting with the interfaith alliance there. This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives with the intention of blessing our community and world. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 344-5693.