Falling Short

To live like Christ, as all of you know, is difficult at best. It seems every time I think I have a handle on a particular aspect of His life, I lose perspective and find myself on a very un-Christ-like side of the fence.

A big for-instance: the Iranian nuclear showdown. I have a huge dislike for the Iranian leadership. I find them annoying, idiotic, and insulting. Every time the Iranian president runs his mouth off - and it is often - I find myself hoping he will attempt a move on Israel so that we can test the 'smoking hole' theory. On the other hand, I know that there are Christians in Iran. To boot, Iran is a nation of moderate, peaceful Muslims who protest the way their radical leaders run the country. These are people who are gracious, and would be open to relationships with westerners - even Christians. I'm somewhat hypocritical. So I find myself asking God not to wipe out Iran, but have mercy on its lost population. Is this not a maturation? I'm getting a handle on it, right?

Nope. I learn of scientists in Norway... or Sweden... who have decided they have found the oldest substance known to man. Petrified worm feces... I don't know how old they said it was. A billion years? It's stupid. It's so stupid that the liberal, agnostic scientific community is saying it's stupid. It's just as insulting to me and my faith that others go to such lengths to disprove our origin - our Creator. I've come full circle. I'm back to wishing ILL upon these dolts. Erase past progress... back to square one.

It's even more depressing for deeper reasons. I realize that these people are embracing their stupidity in order to defy God and His laws. I see it. I condemn that act. On the other hand, I don't want to love these people. In many cases, I refuse to do it. I see my belligerence, and I condemn that attitude... but I still fail to love - depending on my mood or the time of day. I'm still so far from being like Christ that all I can do is marvel at Him and what He overcame by dying - even for those who hate Him.