Represent.

I made a statement in class today at IU that left my mouth before I really had a chance to internalize it. I said, "I am not represented by Pat Robertson, or even George W. Bush...I am represented by Jesus Christ."
As I walked to my car, I became so ashamed of myself. My intentions were to say that Pat Robertson and George W. Bush don't represent what I believe in, or what I hold dear. But what I said places Jesus in a place where HE represents ME.

I am pathetic.

He does NOT represent ME...I should be representing HIM. I should be living my life day in and day out in a manner that draws people to HIM. My words should honor HIM, and my actions should glorify HIM, my character amidst adversity should reflect HIM.

But, I fail in every category.

WOW. I wear my Christian T-Shirts. I have creative Christian stickers. I read a hip Christian magazine. But, none of these things actually make me a Christian. They make me a part of Christian subculture. WHO CARES? T-Shirts, stickers, and magazines can't heal a broken heart, they can't save a soul, they can't change a life...only Jesus can do that, and today I had the audacity to say that HE represented ME. I am the chief of sinners. I guess Jesus is like an AMWAY agent peddling MY products???? I am ridiculous.

Forgive me, Jesus.

So, I guess the real question is not who represents me...but who best represents that which I hold dear and precious? NOT PAT ROBERTSON! NOT GEORGE W. BUSH! NOT ANY OF THE TBN HOOLIGANS! NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY! How sad is it that I can't think of even one person who is in the public eye that genuinely represents the love, the hope, and the truth of Jesus?
Though not in the public eye, there are only a few. Sadly the majority of the world will never know James M. Woods or Dennis Turner.