What It Really Means

Since my first visit to LA, I realized how much of a different world it really is here. I noticed how different it was on my first visit, at least compared to where I'm from. As it was different, it was good, it was welcoming (I just used the word different way too many times).

I remember when I announced that I was moving, people tried to "warn" me about the people I would encounter in LA. People tried to tell me that people here are rude and crooked and "you ca't just trust anyone anymore." Based off my previous visit, I thought that was strange. I was blessed enough to meet the best people in the world. I went out on a limb and stayed with a friend's family, whom I knew nothing about nor ever met before. I auditioned for a class that I wasn't sure if I'd even like, or if I'd get in. I was amazed at how welcoming every person I met was. Most people come here for a dream, and it's so beautiful at how supportive everyone is of each other's dreams.

It's not that being careful around people was bad advice, but just that  everyone made it about LA. There are crazy and bad people in LA, Oklahoma, Mexico, and even Tennessee. And yes, I've crossed paths with crazy people here (just like I have back home), but I've also met the best people.

My favorite thing about people here is how accepting they are. I've never felt more comfortable than I have here. Since this place is so "crazy", it's quite the norm. Your skin color could be green and nobody would ridicule or call you insane. You could shave your head completely bald and people would accept it as a new trend. Whether you're into guys or girls, no one particularly cares- it's your life. Whether you're married or hate any idea of love, you can find a place where no one even asks about it.

My whole point is that a place that's supposedly so sinful, couldn't be more Christ- like. At this point, I'm sure you're like, "Huh?" PLOT TWIST. I never thought much about it before, just because judgement is all too common in small towns. Whether it's about what you did last night, what you wore to church on  Sunday morning, or how you got into a disagreement with your significant other. Tennessee is supposed to be in the bible belt, and I read a statistic today that said almost everyone in Tennessee claims to be very religious, yet I feel like there are many misconstrued understandings of what it means to be a God-loving community.

My pastor Judah Smith spoke on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
[4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.] 

The bible was originally written in Greek, and the greek definition of "bear" is "roof". Which means that we should be a roof over people to keep them safe, cover and protect. To not point, fingers and talk/ judge their habits or mistakes, but to keep it private.

[4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.]

 One City Church pastor from Seattle, Billy Huffman, born and raised in Georgia. He talked about how in the south, sermons often consist of topics about what happens if we don't accept God and what hell is like. We're taught mostly how to fear God, which I get, but then when the gospel is shared by people who learn that- it comes out terrifying to non- christians and frankly, may push them further away. Billy also talked about when we do became christians in the south, it's like we're expected to start changing our entire lifestyle. Including getting rid of our old friends who aren't christians or are just falling off the path. Then we look like hypocrites and people look down ever more on Christianity.

I no longer like to refer to myself as a christian, but as a "Jesus person." I don't need or want a label on my relationship with God, it's personal and that's all that matters. I've thoroughly enjoyed my relationship with God and learning how to depend on Him, trust in Him, and truly love Him. He continues to bless me in every second I'm awake. I just hope and pray that everyone can find a love like mine with God.