Cry with the Sinners

One of my favorite lines in music used to be "I'd rather laugh with the sinners, than cry with the saints" from Billy Joel's, "Only the Good Die Young". The song has my name in it and the beat is really catchy, but listening and processing the lyrics to the song makes me kind of sad it used to be a favorite. The song talks about a Catholic girl who has caught the attention of a bad boy. The bad boy wants to "ruin her" and taint her white reputation by telling her that heaven isn't worth the wait. It makes me sad because for so long I lived that way, and I see so many of the people I love still living that way, living like heaven isn't worth the wait. Sure, laughing with the sinners seems more fun than crying with the saints. Being a Christian isn't easy... but show me in the Bible where it actually says it's an easy life.

Being a Christian is difficult because it means living life differently than the people in this world. It means being surround by temptations that look, sound, and feel good but only for a short time. Being a Christian means giving up things that you feel make your life complete, like friendships or addictions or even movies or TV shows. Being a Christians is far from easy. But in the end the eternal joy is worth it. Being able to live for our creator in a way that pleases Him is far more rewarding than the life of sin this world offers. For a long time I thought I could be a Christian and not give up my lifestyle, my lifestyle of this world. But that isn't truth. And truth is found only in the Word...we are required to give up our lifestyles and be different from the world. "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember the ancient prophets were persecuted, too." Matthew 5:11-12 That doesn't mean we have to become judgmental, stereotypical, southern belle church goers. It means that we must do our very best, every single day, to strive to live a life like Jesus led. We will never be perfect, and we will never be free of sin, but living a life as close as possible is what we are called to do. If that means persecution and hardship and loneliness... so be it. I'd much rather cry with the saints than laugh with the sinners.

"I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world anymore than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your truth." John 17:13-17

xoxo, va