“You know what constipation is? It’s when you’re taking in more than you’re letting out. I think the church in America has a big need for ex-lax.”
How can you be so dead, when you’ve been so well fed,
Jesus rose from the grave, and you, you can’t even get out of bed
The video quality from the 80’s was fuzzy and his afro was fluffy… but the only thing that really struck me while watching the clips of Keith Green was how genuine he was.
Everyone talks of his effervescent personality and many aspire to be like him. How easy did he relate to people from a stage! But how did Keith Green accomplish this? He was real, sincere, and humble. He gave all the glory to Jesus.
I would say that we live in a generation that desires genuine personalities even more than 28 years ago. We’re stuck in the whirlwind of political correctness and masks. There has to be a point where the Christian world decides they are no longer going to mask their pain and push their emotions down. “Praise God anyways”. A good saying to some extent. But that means you are pushing down genuine feelings, ones that God made. Not dealing with your problems until pressure is applied and finding out that your faith has disappeared. No. Be genuine with people and especially God, tell him your feelings then proclaim the truth of his character over the situation. “I feel exhausted right now, but God is the great reviver.”
Don’t be stuck hiding behind masks. Can’t you say something other than “good” every time you hear “how are you”? Can’t we be vulnerable for a little bit? Everyone who loves someone is vulnerable. Therefore if we truly love Jesus we should be receptive to his help. No longer worrying about what others think but only caring what Jesus thinks. Letting him work in us directly or through other people.
Genuine. The dictionary says, truly what something is said to be; authentic. What are we said to be? What ARE we? Hmm. Lovers of God. So therefore it all starts with that. Loving Jesus, being open with our faults, using our strengths to full potential.
Naturally, we’re not all meant to be in front of crowds. But wherever you’re meant to be, be genuine. And it’s only when we love can we be sincere without offense. Love, be genuine.
There you go.
So I found myself on my knees crying out to God asking if I could have that mantle of genuine love, of joyful sincerity.
And I found tears because somehow Jesus told me that there can be greater things that can happen through me. The story of Elijah and Elisha came to mind. Do not be afraid to ask for a great gift. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you. I ask him for the gift of influence, I ask him flat on my face yet still ask him with expectancy. He gives good gifts to his children, if only they ask.
