Can you call yourself a Christian if you do not like to do Christian things? Can you say you love God but are not bothered to change your little bad habits? Does it matter if you use swear words? Does it matter if you wear clothes that show your figure? What about prayers? How often is a “good Christian” to pray? When you pray, do you ask for specific things, or that His will be done? On the other end of the spectrum, should you neglect your former friends? Or still hang out with them and try to change them? Does saying “no” to people’s requests mean that you’re selfish? Does it matter if you don't take "rubbish" from anyone, and always speak your mind? Where do we draw the line, between having a personality and being a “good Christian”?

I had a conversation with one of the elder ladies in my church about living the Christian way, and she said that as Christians we have to be dead to our feelings, "Dead to the flesh", that's how she explained it. She said that we have to be like Christ was, and have mastery, authority and spiritual dominion over our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. We have to learn to NOT react to situations harshly and rashly, no matter how inconveniencing or just plain rude. She said that's what being a Christian entails; we must be meek, show love and forgive easily. She explained that meekness is not weakness but rather strength, and makes us receptive to our true nature as children of God. We have to have an attitude of mind in which we feel free from the fear of giving up our so-called human rights. As is said in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek….”

I’m a very opinionated person. I have very clear boundaries around myself, which I expect people around me to respect, as I respect theirs. I am quite “nice”, but I always speak my mind. I’m not one to let people use and abuse me. And if someone wrongs me, I let them know, because if I don’t, the feelings and words eat at me inside. As a Christian, am I to let them walk all over me?

Sigh

It’s like the second you decide to become a Christian; the devil sends you all kinds of temptations in form of people, testing you to your limit. People expect you to go out of your way for them, while giving nothing in return. They take stuff without asking. They waste your time. They are rude, loud, petty and obnoxious. My list of personal grievances goes on.

I am learning to let go and let God. I am learning to not always have a reply for everyone. I am learning to calmly walk away. I am learning to accept apologies I never got, to forgive others for my own good, rather than theirs. I am learning to always stay positive, regardless of my immediate environment. And I’m finding that the more I do it, the less tough it seems. As a Christian in Progress, I’m finding that it’s an attitude worth imbibing, because when you let go of always wanting to be right, you let peace and serenity in. And as more time passes, and with more practise, you attain a much higher consciousness and spirituality, and your life is so much better for it.