Jesus or Christianity?

They can seem to be one in the same... if you are a follower of Jesus you are a committed Christian. If you are a committed Christian chances are you are involved in a local church, a relevant Bible study, some type of ministry, and various 'do-good for others' activities. The question is... Why? What is your motivation for doing all these great things (they are all good things that we need to be involved in as Christians)? I was replaying in my mind something that happened over the weekend that made me wonder why it is that for all the good and great and righteous things we as Christians (and me as a Christian) do, why is it that non-Christians often act more 'Christian-like' that Christians do? As I was pondering this the Lord laid on my heart the following question:

"Do you love Me, or do you love Christianity?"

WHOA!!! Stop the presses!!! Aren't they the same thing? Well, we all know the answer to that.** The truth of the matter is that I love Jesus... but I've lost sight of that and begun to put too much importance on 'being a Christian' and doing all the things a good Christian woman should be doing. Do you struggle with that? My heart longs for the day when I am so completely consumed with Him and His ways that my normal response to situations is exactly what Jesus would do...

Are you pursuing church or are you pursuing the Kingdom? When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come ...to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matt. 9:12-13

Lord, hear the cry of my heart...that I would be a woman that truly loves you with all her heart, all her soul, all her mind, and all her strength...

** the answer is 'no' if you didn't already know that