because i choose to

i got to thinking about why we seem to do what we do; why do we strive to live in a world that hates? why do we strive to "fix" a church unwilling to accept an open hand? why strive to have a deeper walk, when most modern christians would rather run? why strive to reach past who we are, and into the lives of others? why? why care? why listen? why be open? why do we strive to express an open and honest heart, only to be slapped down by those in the church that demand perfection? it seems silly that we would even try. then i am drawn to the words of agent smith and the response of neo:

Agent Smith: The purpose of life Mr. Anderson is death. . .So why, Mr. Anderson? Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you're fighting for something? For more that your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Yes? No? Could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception. The temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself, although only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love. You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson. You must know it by now. You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting. Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist?
Neo: Because I choose to

when i think of the why, i think of the response of neo - because i choose to. faith is an open and honest expression of self and a choice. one chooses to be a follower of christ, one chooses to help, one chooses to love - it is not a "magic" tradition, but one of choice. i choose to love, to help, to care, to express - and others can either choose not to accept my choices, and they have that right. what i have found most interesting in my faith walk is that many claim to choose, but few have taken the steps to truly choose.

when we think of our faith walk, we need to think in terms of choices - we can either choose to be as christ, or we can choose to be as the word - or, we can choose to be as the world desires christ to be. why? because i choose to.

pax