You may even find that this blog post isn't quite the post you were looking and hoping for. This topic is religion-based, and it helps to explain some of the reasons I live my life from the perspective that I do. Not your cup of tea? No problem - come back in a week or so, and we'll be back to music-based topics... or visit my YouTube Channel and check out the Band Geek Tag I completed as my first official vlog.
But if you disapprove of this topic and continue to read on anyway, and you claim that I have shoved my religion down your throat, sorry! That won't work here... Can't help you there! You knew what you were getting yourself into and could have stopped at any time. I'd go as far to say that if you chose to read this entire post and feel uncomfortable or threatened by it, it could be God's way of letting you know that it's not too late to let him in your life. Once again - entirely your choice to put yourself in that situation. Still reading? Great - I hope you enjoy the ride!
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I've been called out multiple times in multiple situations for a wide variety of reasons about a passionate and unswerving belief that ALL human beings in our world deserve to be loved, valued as wonderful people, and cared about by the world - no exceptions. The reality is, as many would argue, that some people genuinely rejoice in finding ways to make your life miserable. Why, might you ask, would I want to love someone who spreads false rumors about me, wishes me nothing but misery and failure, and goes out of his or her way to knock me down?
The answer is simple. In fact, you don't even need a Bible to answer this; it's an incredibly simple and fundamental concept of Christianity, so simple and fundamental - in fact - that the majority of us look right over it and miss it completely. Want to know what it is? Check it:
1) God is the King of All Kings. I am a child of God. So how should I treat myself? Like royalty.
Of course! That means that I am effectively the prince of all kings. My Father created everything in the universe, so who I am and what I stand for far transcends anything in the World. That means I need to take care of myself in a manner fit for a prince, and I should hold those I am closest with to those same expectations. I should recognize when others treat me like anything other than royalty, and distance myself so that I have room for those in my life who care for me and treat me as though I am a valuable and important person in the world. And hey... know what else?
2) We are ALL God's children. That means you are royalty, too. It also means we are siblings!
So how should I treat you? I should respect you like royalty, as you are a child of the king. But here's the biggie: I should LOVE you like a brother or sister, because we are siblings. That means that we may have our disagreements, arguments, and fights, and yes - you may even go out of your way just to try to get on my nerves - but no matter what you or I do in this world, I still love you and want the best for you. Why? Because you're my sibling. If you manage not to treat me like a child of God, I recognize that you are not the type of person I should surround myself with in my day-to-day life, but I still respect you because you are royalty, and I still love you because you are family.
Are you a Christian? Ever wonder why you don't fit in this world? Well, your Father created the entire universe, so how can you - his child - expect to fit yourself and your entire family legacy within the cozy confines of a single planet? No... it's clear that you and I are not supposed to fit our lives in this world; rather, the world fits inside of our lives, as we embrace it and love everyone and everything we share it with. Let's strive to treat each other better and make this world a better place.
Marcus Grant
Teacher, Composer, Trumpeter
http://www.msgrantmusic.orghttp://www.facebook.com/msgrantmusic
http://www.soundcloud.com/msgrantmusic
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