Many people have different ideas about Christianity and Christians. Maybe you think of organized churches with an order to worship. Pews, aisles, crosses, and maybe even stained glass windows come to mind. You may think of the extreme preachers standing on the corners of your campus heeding warnings of perishing forever in hell. You may think of anti-abortion signs and religious political propaganda. You may see an outdated set of bigoted rules and expect judgement if you disobey. You may see some outdated book and contradictions. You may see a stern republican belief system or even maybe some gushy love story. Maybe you think of an angry God, selfish God, or a God who just lets bad things happen. Regardless of what you see, there is a hidden heart beneath every true believer.
What you don't see when you "go" to church or talk to a "christian" is the hidden heart 's relationship with Christ. The truest believers are the ones you wouldn't think, but when you find out what their fire is, it all makes sense. You know that they have a glow to them and joy that seems unexplainable. They may be quiet, but still draw people towards them.
You do not see the silent prayers and acts of charity. You do not see the believer falling asleep in tears calling out for God. You may not hear the hidden music in the heart that the believer joyfully steps to each morning. You do not see the missionary that lays down his or her life. You don't see the persecuted brothers and sisters hiding in secret just to gather to pray. You do not see the every day silent thankfulness that pulls us into His presence: the one thing that each true believer desperately wants. Unless you know Christ intimately, you do not see these things. These Christians are not the ones with scriptures in Instagram bios, nor the ones who get in debates. They are the ones who only seek after one thing and one Person only. The greatest believers tend to be the ones you may have never heard.
I do not know what you see, but what I see is the hidden glories of the Lord Most High. I see his radiance each day as I dive into his word. I know his heartbeat when I write my prayers at night. I feel His hands wiping away my tears and his embrace when my heart is low. I know his laugh when I sing His songs of praise, and His smile when I joyfully obey His word. These experiences may never be validated by others, but by silent faith I know them to be true.
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