Plastic People

So as Mike also posted, we went out and got the new Casting Crowns CD - Lifesong yesterday. I know to much disappointment to some, it was not Andrew Peterson. We are very fond of Casting Crowns and we were compelled to go out and buy it the day it was released. Now before I proceed anymore about the new Casting Crowns CD, I will let you loyal readers know that I did download a compilation of songs by Andrew Peterson the night before last. We have not heard his lovely music before and are now becoming acquainted. So on that note, about the Lifesong CD. As you see, I posted the song lyrics to one of theirs songs. I was brought to a point of self examination after listening to that song last night. I came to the conclusion that I was a plastic person for so many years. To some degree I believe it was due to my own insecurities, but I believe the church up bringing I had at that crucial time in my life had a lot to do with it. Now I don't want to "church-basher" but as I reflected on the lyrics and how they applied to my life, like I do with most songs, I was brought to past relationships I've had in the church. Like a child who doesn't know better, I was a young Christian who was taking in everything around me. I became a plastic person because those around me were plastic. Now I am very grateful for the fact that not ALL of the people I was associated with were plastic. But most of them were. And still are for that matter. We have visited the mentioned church recently and many things have not changed. Those "fake" hellos and "how are ya's" were so obvious. There were some who I believe were sincere. But you can see through to the core and it is all about what they can do for you. Not in a . . ."God wants me to", more like a "God tells me to, so I will even though I don't want to talk to you". I'm not sure that I am making much sense. Those who have experienced similar circumstances will understand. My point in all of this is, there are many plastic Christians and I for one will admit that I was one. I don't think I am today. At the very least, I am striving to not be one. Instead of being plastic, I want to be see-through. I want to live a live of transparency. I want to keep those things that God and I share hidden, for some of those things are meant to be that way. But in every other sense, I want people to see the God that is in me. I don't want to be obedient simply because it is written for me to do so. I want to do it simply because I want to. So many Christians haven't gotten to that point or haven't been taught that. By all means, I don't want to sound judgmental. I know that some people may not even realize that they are being plastic. It is so easy to go through the motions because we don't know life any other way. We can also being choosing to go through the motions because we don't want to deal with our own issues and defiantly not others issues as well. I, for one, do not want to be that way. Life, to me, is about setting the example. To be what God wants me to be so that I can be there for other people. Genuinely!! Not fake!! I've been hurt by those fake, plastic people. So why would I want to be one? My daily pray is that I can reflect God and His love and grace. I know I will stumble, but I want to continue on and be that example. I don't understand how we could even allow ourselves to become plastic. But it happens. I know I rambled lots about this. It is a bit of a sore spot in my and God will have to help me with it. I'm sorry to those of you who read this if it doesn’t make sense. I just need to vent my feeling after listening to that song. I love the whole CD by the way!! All of their lyrics are great. They are heartfelt and meaningful. To those who are not familiar with their music, I highly recommend going out and getting this new CD. It is really good! OK, enough of the ongoing rambling. Later.