heavy.

Have you guys checked out Cory Copeland's blog? If not, you really should. Did you know he's also the genius behind, To My Future Spouse? Whatever the venue, he keeps me entertained with hilarious, and often very honest, opinions about dating and relationships. A lot of times I agree with what he's saying, and sometimes I don't. Nonetheless, he keeps me entertained. We're talking, I was up until almost 1:30 last night (this morning?) browsing through his various websites entertained. 

I came across a post he wrote awhile ago, maybe this summer, and reading the words nearly stopped me in my tracks. And by stopped me in my tracks I mean I read part of it about five times over while I was laying in bed. 

"I am a Christian. I’ve never denied this truth nor have I ever hidden it to gain favor with those who may not share my faith. I am a Christian, and I’m proud to say so. Every day and night, I do my best to live a life that can not only be classified as “Christ-like,” but is also, in the most humble way possible, a literal reflection of Jesus. But I often fail. I say things I shouldn’t say. I think things I shouldn’t think. I do things I shouldn’t do. I am merely a sinner who was blessed enough to have been born in to a family that covets the truth of God and truly aims to follow His teachings. I am a sinner blessed by happenstance.

We are Christians. Those who know us are privy to this information. Those around us can (hopefully) tell a difference between how we conduct ourselves in comparison to those who aren’t fortunate enough to be saved as of yet. But what if they can’t? What if our walk in God isn’t as vibrant as we may think? What if the words we speak are wasteful and lack holy meaning? It terrifies me to think that I may just be seen as simply a “good person”—because I’m more than that. You’re more than that. Yes, we are good people, and yes, we give freely of ourselves, but if our walk in God and our talk in God aren’t prevalent enough to be recognized as anything but true Christianity, then we have failed."

That's heavy, isn't it? As I mulled it over in my head last night, I kept thinking about the things I do and say and think that don't reflect Jesus. It's a harrowing reminder, really. It's terrifying to think that there are things I do in my life that make people think I am a "good person" and nothing more. But then, Cory's words are connecting me back to the truth that I am a ragamuffin; a sinner saved by grace. I am sinful and I fail and I certainly don't get this walk with God right all of the time, but God is bigger than that. Where we fail, His grace abounds and strengthens. In our weakness and brokenness, He is sufficient. My calling in this life is to follow Jesus; to lose my life, follow His teachings, and seek to become more like Him. I am praying, over and over and over again, for God's grace to strengthen my weakness. That my actions and thoughts and words would reflect His character. For His light and goodness to be shown through me, in some small way, to the people in my life. 

What does it mean to be a "good person" for you? What do you think of Cory's words? Do you agree with what he's saying? What does it mean for the story you're living?