Being a Christian - By Doug Clawson
I met Doug Clawson on the basketball court about a year ago as we would play pickup hoops with some other guys from work. Doug is no joke on the court. Big and tall, athletic, and skilled. Everything I wish I could be on the court. I played ball with Doug for about 4 months until I ran into him at a bible study late last year. I was so pleased to see he had a deep conviction for Christ in his life. Since that moment, Doug and I have had multiple conversations about our walks of faith and some of the highs and lows we go through in our christian walk. Recently Doug was baptized at his church and I could tell this guy went through a complete transformation on his life. Doug is a newer believer and in talking with him a few weeks back, he shared with me his desire to write what Jesus meant to him. I was honored when Doug asked if he could share this on blog. I hope you enjoy it.
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Being a Christian - By Doug Clawson
Here's what Jesus Christ means to me.
Jesus provides me an example of the behavior I want to live by. He is God, but was lowered to a human being because he loved us so much he wanted to have a relationship with us.
The fact that God loved me enough to bless me with an incredible life, and yet continue to seek me out even though I was living selfishly and seeking immediate gratification all the time, proves His love for me. There was something missing in my heart — When I developed a relationship with Jesus and learned what it means to be a Christian, I felt the peace of God's love fill me up with happiness and purpose.
I always had issues with confidence, embracing who I am. But knowing that Jesus so desired a relationship with me, exactly as the person I am, helped me embrace my uniqueness.
I battled anxiety, but praying, learning to align myself with God's will, and trusting Him with my future instead of doing it my way, has helped greatly in that area. I've also struggled with the fear of being alone, but through my faith I came to embrace my season of singleness to become the right one, and stop looking for 'the one'.
Jesus has taught me over the last few months - through some frustrating but rewarding experiences - what a relationship is all about. It means truly being unselfish, not unselfish to eventually gain myself favor selfishly. It means also protecting the other person emotionally, encouraging them in Christ, and also being disciplined. I came to Christ because of a relationship that ended, and after more than a year he showed me how to truly operate in one.
I think Christ recognized I have a tender heart and reached out to me because He wanted to use that potential. In turn, I've been more aware of situations where I can be inclusive and impact others, which has been more rewarding than the self-serving ways I've always lived by.
I used to worry all the time about what society's view of being a successful man was. Having a beautiful girlfriend, having sex, getting promoted etc... Thanks to Jesus I'm realizing to be content with where I am, take advantage of everyday, be unselfish, proud of who I am and not compare myself to others.
And the thing is, I'm learning so much everyday about Christianity, how to live a happy, worry free life while making an impact on others. I battle temptations all the time and I'm far from perfect, but God was gracious enough to put so many friends in my life to hold me accountable, care about me, and lift me up.
It's wild how the first time I went to the church I'm a part of, how welcoming and loving all the people were - truly making me feel cared for, setting the standard I wanted to live by and encouraging me in Christ. I can think of so many people I've crossed paths with that inspire me to be a better man by relying on a relationship with God.
When I focus on living with Jesus Christ at the center of my life, I truly feel good about my purpose, rather than focusing on earthly things and possessions that failed me when I tried to make them the main source of my happiness. To me, part of living with Christ at the center means constantly wrapping myself up in God's spoken word, or written word to be more like him. It's hard to describe, but every time I listen to a sermon, go to church, sing a verse or read a God-centric book, I gain a new perspective, or an important reminder on how to love myself, make others around me better, lift someone up, embrace every day, have healthy relationships, plus ultimately a healthy, purpose-filled life that will glorify Jesus, who was so gracious to seek a relationship with me, and save me from selfish ways and anxiety.
I know that anytime I read or listen to something new, I open my heart and close it to the old things that used to run my life like instant gratification, anger, resentment, ungratefulness, and more.
I have to stay in the word every day to stay on the good path Jesus has put me on.
That's what being a Christian means to me.