I think all Christians are bipolar by definition. I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone who suffers from this illness; and I am by no means making light of this sensitive issue for some, but the rate that Christians change their attitude and feelings toward God is amazing. Just check out the mob scene that Jesus experiences during the last week of his life.
One of the scripture texts for this coming Sunday – Palm Sunday – comes from Luke 19:28-40. This is the account of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey; a victorious King coming home from battle. The crowds are cheering and shouting, "Hosanna!" which oddly enough means "save us". If only the people really knew what Jesus came to do.
That was the beginning of Holy Week. A few short days later, some of those same people were shouting "CRUCIFY HIM!" which means "Kill him, get rid of him, he is not our king!" One moment the people are praising Jesus and the next moment they are trying to get rid of him. Hmmm…sounds familiar. This couldn’t possibly be talking about how we turn on Jesus in an instant when it serves us.
Do you see yourself in that early mob scene? Do you see yourself following Jesus around listening to him? Do you see yourself shouting "CRUCIFY HIM!"? I read this text and can’t help but to place myself in those scenes. But here’s the cool thing: Even though this is mine (and our) reality, Jesus stills goes to the cross for us. Jesus still offers forgiveness to us. Jesus still gives us life. How cool is that? Bipolar and all…Jesus still loves you and me. "HOSANNA!" -edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
Eric
As I left our monthly church council meeting last night I felt that I really needed to quit this church that i have belonged to for 37 years, and join another. For no specific reason I felt I was the Only Christian on the council. I am in my 3ed year of ELCA Lay Ministry and If I joined another church I would forfeit that ending, Not that the ELCA will use me for anything. But I ok with that. Other ministries keep me busy.
So you probably thinking ( Maybe this guy is bipolar) Our president is a lesbian, she’s a good person and a caring person and I support her, The Vice President believes that everyone on earth goes to heaven, and Jesus was a great teacher, Another woman is an ex Unitarian, we have a young mother, and young Coast guardsman, and our Treasurer.None of these people ever profess that Christ is the way the truth and the light. And our Pastor who I don’t know where she is at in here faith, she never talks much about it.
Everything discussed is either secular agendas or its Serving others as Jesus served in a topical way, There is never salvation, relationship with God, or forgiveness. There is I guess no accountability,
I realize that everyone is in a different place on the faith journey, But I wonder, If this is not true, Many are called, few are chosen.
Or maybe Im Bi Polar!
God Bless
Rick
Rick,
I can relate to your feelings of frustration — council meetings can get to me like that sometimes too. But hang in there…it is very obvious that your council and church needs you whether they realize it or not.
Your council sounds like quite a diverse group. Are there devotions and/or prayer at your meetings? If not I would recommend pushing that suggestion. Because of our “bipolarity” we need to be constantly reminded of God’s love for us and his forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We just can not take that for granted…we need to hear it. One minute we can be model Christians and the next minute we hardly recognize ourselves. That is the nature of our sinful nature.
Are you “bipolar”…absolutely, but God wouldn’t have you any other way. Thank you for your ministry in the body of Christ. Take care and God bless.
Eric
Don’t you ever wish Christians were more bipolar? Look at Paul. Zealous, whether right or wrong. It’s apathy that is so dangerous. God has something to say about this-
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Rev 3:15-16
He can use the hot or even the cold for his purpose. Judas was used for God’s purpose. So were those who cried “Crucify Him!” But what if none of those people in Jerusalem cared either way about Jesus. What if He walked in and out without anyone bothering to look his way. That’s what stops the gospel. Would have stopped it then; it’s what stops it now.
Most people today aren’t disturbed by Jesus. Not many Pauls anymore. Lots of nice guys – mollifying, tolerant, conciliatory nice guys.
Give me feisty! God and I can work with feisty!
Kara,
You make a good point. And to answer your question…YES, I wish MORE Christians were MORE “bipolar” or at least show they cared one way or another. But when I wrote this post I was thinking more of our sinful nature and how we can be “flip floppy” (If that is even a phrase) when it comes to following Jesus. Of course some people are more flip floppy than others and with some you can hardly tell. I probably should have included another catagory of people…the catagory you described so well; a catagory that keeps the church from growing.
Thanks for the comment. I appreciate you making me think more about this. We definitely need more feisty people.
Eric