Friday, February 23, 2007

When I say "I am a Christian"

Yesterday I was talking to one of our supervisors who do not have the same "faith in Christ" as I have. He was trying hard to plant some doubt in my belief while I was trying hard to share Christ's love to him. My co-worker Kim was listening. After our conversation, Kim handed me print out of a poem that her friend gave her the other day....

This poem does express some of the deepest truths about Christianity. This poem put the wordings on what I feel, believe and live. Whenever I list my blog on blog directories and they ask for a brief description of my blog, I usually use the phrase "christian working mom" to describe myself. Now that word "christian" is clarified through this poem.

The version of the poem below has often been associated with Maya Angelou. However, the original poem was written by Carol Wimmer.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

For the original version of the poem, click HERE
For the history of the poem click HERE

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's great. A friend and I have been talking about the "label" of Christian and how sometimes, we almost feel ashamed to admit that we consider ourselves a Christian - not that we're ashamed of CHRIST, but because the term has been misunderstood and misrepresented for SO long, that we just can't be sure anyone really knows what WE mean when we say it. Do they think it means that I attend church every Sunday morning? Or do they know it's more than that? Do they assume that makes me a fanatic and a hypocrite? Or do they understand that, for me, it's more than a religion, it's about my relationship with my Savior? Excellent post.

Anonymous said...

Awesome! What a great poem! Alot more people should read it.

Lisa Sullivan said...

Doesn't it amaze you how off Satan tries to dismantle our attempts at passing on Christ's love? I usually just dust that butt head off my shoulders and share anyway. Take that, Satan! HA!

Love the poem!! How true! How true!!

Thanks for sharing. God Bless you today and everyday. :)

poppycock said...

This poem is such a humbling reminder of who I am and how I feel. Oftentimes I think, speak and act in such a manner that isn't glorifying to the Lord so I thank Him that it is only by His grace that I am called to be one of His children.

Thank you so much for this lovely poem.