The Trouble With Halos

I'm reading Brennan Manning 's Ragamuffin Gospel... Again.

It's that good.

It's that convicting. 

In a good way.

He talks about a man going to the Doctor

Because of terrible headaches.

After many questions from the Doctor, the patient assuring him he doesn't smoke, drink, run around on his wife or cheat on his taxes... The Doctor says,

"The trouble is, your halo is on too tight.

We just need to loosen it a bit."

Hear me... I am not suggesting we, in any way cheat on our spouses, in thought or deed.

Our moral compass and ideals are important, 

but, if we live up to everything we believe, every time...

We become impossible to Live with.

Because.... It's impossible.

We sin every day.

Did you know that?

Do you know you lie every day?

That's another post.... But check yourself.

Everyday, you say things that are not completely true.

We all do.

Our halo becomes too tight, we become legalistic and we become ugly and unapproachable to others.

Jesus did not look like that.

Was there any one less legalistic than Christ?

He called the Pharisees out... All the time.

They loved legalism.

Brennan Manning says we need to tilt out halo, wearing it loosely, with easy grace.

I think he is right.

Of course he is right.

Grace.

Always grace.

Christ's gospel was grace.

Always grace.

We must step away. Look at Christ. What He did for us. What He continues to do each day. And see that we are poor in ourselves. 

All is grace.

All is a gift... From Above.

"The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become-the more we realize that everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives become one of humble and joyful thanksgiving. Awareness of our poverty and ineptitude cause us to rejoice in the gift of being called out of darkness into wondrous light and translated into the kingdom of God's beloved Son." B. Manning