Get Back to the B.A.S.I.C.S.

“…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

Luke 15:20

When I left for college back in the 1900’s, I was coming from a sheltered home life and decided that I would put God on the shelf for just a little while. In my head, I thought I was going from point A to B when in fact, I found myself at point Z pretty much before the 1st semester ended. No one needed to tell me that I was doing the wrong things, I knew it and yet I kept doing them because of the sin nature within me.

After a time, I recognized that I needed to go back to the basics of my Christian faith. I admit—I didn’t completely come back as there were many compromises along the way. Most of my shame was internalized and I kept myself away from God longer than necessary. This was due to my feelings of unworthiness and doubt that He would fully accept me back.

Just like the prodigal son in Luke 15, I recognized I was better with God than without Him. I was more confident, focused, honest, and successful when I returned to the B.A.S.I.C.S. of my faith:

B – Bible (I started reading it as a love letter instead of checklist of rules to follow.)

A – Attendance (I started going back to church regularly instead of being sporadic.)

S – Share (I started connecting with like-minded people who were also searching for God.)

I – Involvement (I started volunteering in activities that were not about me.)

C – Conversation (I started praying to God about everything, big or small.)

S – Start immediately (I started the moment I recognized His loving arms were stretching out towards me instead of pushing me away.)

The world, our flesh, and Satan wants nothing more than for us to believe their lies that God is angry with us and wants to punish us for our sins. The truth is that He longs for us to live our best lives as a follower of Christ Jesus who is free to walk in newness, forgiveness, and mercy.