... and I've never claimed to be. I sure try to be sometimes (that's what you might call "perfectionism" or "insanity"), but I know I never am. So, it always amazes me that Christians pretend they are. Or when people in the real world expect Christians to be perfect and never mess up (Ted Haggard, case in point). What the heck?

See, what began this whole rant was a question presented to me last week: "What kinds of people are we not allowed to invite to youth?" Again - what the heck? Are we really pretending that we're so good and holy and special that certain people just aren't allowed among us? This is especially disturbing because if we are pretending that, that's just the wrongest thing I can think of. And if we are pretending we're so great while we're at church, I know we're not when we're at home among all those people who don't come with us to church. So what's the deal?

Jesus was a pretty amazing guy when it came to stuff like this. You know, He hung out with all the "wrong" people. He didn't hang out at church places much unless he was there to tell them all the things they were doing wrong. He hung out with the prostitutes. He hung out with all the thieves and the normal, messed up people. Once, some church people even asked Him, "Hey, should you really be with THOSE kinda people?" and He told them, "Look. Do you really think that people who are already healthy need a doctor? No - the sick do. So why would I hang with people who are already good with God?"

This freaks me out. Partially because it sometimes takes a lot of effort to hang out with people who don't believe the same as me, and I'm tired a lot already. But mainly because 98% of the people I hang out with are church people, which is completely opposite of what Jesus did. And you know, trying to be like Jesus and doing the opposite... not a good plan.

Anwyays, to answer the question (that whole "who isn't allowed in youth" bit), everyone is allowed in youth. Yes, everyone. Yes, that person that you're thinking of that you think wouldn't fit in. Yes, that person you know who's a druggie. Yes, that girl who's kinda overly flirtatious with every boy at school. Those kids with the funny colored hair, the pierced kids, the opinionated kids, the kids who don't believe in God, the kids who are mad at God, the kids who seem to have it all together and the kids who definitely don't. All of em. Could you imagine if Jesus only picked the perfect people to hang out with? He'dve been pretty lonely. None of us are perfect, and as messed up as we think some people are, God loves em all. We're all pretty messed up... shouldn't we see that and be reaching out to everyone to meet Christ?

So uh, we're not perfect. But God is. And He hung out with imperfect people so He could help them meet His Father. That's our job, too. Invite em all to youth, because I want nothing more than to introduce them to the Guy who changed my life. I hope you do, too.