I Don't Like Christian Label, But Hey I'm Sure A Believer

One of the late John Denver’s biggest hits was, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy!” and I liked the happy jubilation of that song a lot. But these days I tend more often to parrot the line “Now I’m A Believer,” from an old Monkees’ song.

You see, I am a believer. Some of you have already figured that out, others haven’t. I’m going to tell you why I’m a believer too, but before I do I must say this:

“When speaking about God and religion I generally prefer the label “believer” rather than “Christian.” I’m not very comfortable with the label “Christian.” If I’m Christian it’s mostly because I was brought up (sort of) in the Christian faith. I was not raised Muslim or Buddhist or Shinto or Confuscion or Hindu or Baha’i or I would probably be one of those.

It is an unfortunate fact of history that Christians have committed (and still commit) atrocities -the Middle East Crusades, abortion clinic bombings and many other examples -as any other religious group. I’m certainly not excusing the horrible atrocities currently being committed in the name of jihad or whatever, because people, who murder, maim and torture should be dealt with severely and swiftly. But Christ advised Christians to love one another and it seems way too easy for Christians for forget that.

My first reason for believing in God involves simply looking at ourselves and at the incredible world we live in; all this by accident, because of a Big Bang, because of centuries of evolution? I don’t buy that. What intricate miracles our world and our physical bodies are. This is what God hath wrought.

My second reason for believing is because of forgiveness. Not only do I know I am forgiven by God for my sins - and some are lollapaloozas! - But I know he has helped me forgive myself, which is extremely difficult to do, and to forgive my enemies - almost as difficult. Not only has God’s grace enabled me to receive forgiveness in the same measure that I forgive my enemies, it has helped me struggle to my knees and bow my head when I was so filled with anger and thoughts of revenge I did not want to forgive.

Next comes hope; not the hope that when I die I’ll go to heaven; certainly not the hope that there will be 70 virgins waiting for me there or a doughnut shop on every cloud. The hope I’m talking about is the peace when I die that “passeth all understanding,” because I have forgiven and been forgiven. I often wonder these days if I’m ready to die because I worry that my estate or my memorial services might not be adequately planned out, but the real blockage to hope for Resting in Peace might just concern an issue of forgiveness.

I admit I don’t share my faith very often, but God has given me the opportunity a few times (be careful what you ask for). One of the coolest things that ever happened to me was the time a guy challenged me by saying, “I suppose you talk to God, huh?” I was able to explain that I did because that was what prayer was all about. The guy never spoke to me again, but oh well.

I’m as big a sinner as anybody out there; still want to be a sinner way too much. But I’ve got my reasons for being a believer. I’ve been asked if I could stand in front of a firing squad and admit to being a Christian. My answer would probably be, “Can I plead the fifth?” As to the question of whether I’m a believer; absolutely!

Love and peace brothers and sisters, and no, I’m not a hippie.