My Profession of Faith

Socially there are two topics in which we have been trained to mind our P’s & Q’s. One is politics and the other, religion. For the last few months now, I have listened to, watched and read about people’s rants when it comes to politics, and honestly I’m tired of staying silent. If we are throwing manners aside, then I’m going to unload on the topic I care most about -- Jesus. Disclaimer: It’s about to get religious up in here.

It is hard to know where to begin when you have so many things you want to say. I guess I will start with this: I am a sinner. Or, should I start things off by telling you I was afraid to write this? Should I begin by telling you I feel completely unqualified? Maybe I should just tell you why I felt compelled to write it in the first place.

All of these things would require a great deal of explanation, so perhaps I will just get to the point and start here: My name is Kelly Anthony, I’m a wife, a mother of two, a food writer/blogger and I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins, on the third day rose again and ascended into heaven. I believe He is my savior and loves me unconditionally, and this is my profession of faith.

Now that I’ve gotten that out, let’s get down to to the knitty-gritty:

Back to the whole sinner thing? I am as imperfect as they come. I am impatient, I am selfish and I can be a glutton in the food (and wine) department. I find way too much happiness in “things.” I’ve been a poor steward with money. Some days it feels impossible not to say the “f” word, I find myself unknowingly passing judgement on others. I nitpick over my physical appearance, and at times, I am even unkind to the people I love the most.

These are some of the many reasons I was hesitant to begin writing this in the first place. I know as soon I say to the world "I am a follower of Christ," it is likely that I will go under the magnifying glass to be scrutinized, by both believers and nonbelievers. And, honestly I don't want to undergo closer observation, because there you’ll find all of my flaws. But, here is the deal: Those judgments are not the judgments that ultimately matter. Just because I say I am a Christian, doesn’t mean that I have lived a perfect or sinless life. It doesn’t mean I am going to live a perfect and sinless life. If anything, being a Christian is truly the recognition for ones desperate need of a Savior.

Sometimes when I think about my background, especially those notorious college years, I am reminded I was a champion among sinners. I didn’t treat college as a learning or growth opportunity, I treated it as if it were one big giant party. I regret it, but it happened. I was lost. Truly, I don't even know that I was on the right path until my husband and I found ourselves pregnant with my oldest daughter. Children have a way of making mothers want to be better, don't they? We were in no way shape or form mentally, emotionally or financially ready for a child. Finding out I was pregnant was terrifying. But I am forever grateful. She was God’s way of bringing me back to Him.

You see, no matter how shameful your past may be, no matter who you are today, God wants you to come back to Him. His love for us is unconditional, like a parents’ love for their children. He is God the Father. I want to be better for Him, I really truly do. It is an honest desire of my heart. And I try. Every believer comes to conviction by the Holy Spirit over different things, at different times. There are sins I have felt convicted about, and completely cut out of my life, but there are others that constantly resurface and I know, I will fail to walk in perfect obedience. It is likely I will fail Him on a daily basis. And, this is why God Almighty had to send us a savior.

I know to some, the story of Christ is a wild and laughable proclamation, and believe me, I have questioned it myself. I am a true-to-form over-analyzer. Always have been, always will be. If I said I hadn't ever doubted the word of God, I would be lying. But then I think back to the beginning. Like, the beginning of the universe. No, keep going. Even further than that. Are you at a blank white space yet? Ok, me too. Where did we come from? That is the age-old question, right? Now some of you, with a scientific background far more substantial than mine (which is nonexistent by the way), might say evolution, the big bang theory or whatever other theories out there exist. But think back even before then. Who created the first atom? How did the first molecule come to be? How did it get there in the first place? It didn’t just happen. Nope, not buying that. Something had to exist prior to the creation of the Universe. You can’t convince me otherwise.

So now some of you might be thinking about all the different creation stories harbored by many cultures throughout the world, and wonder why I believe so adamantly that Christ is the One True God. And the answer is so simple it will likely irritate you: faith and experience. He has done works in my life that only God can do. I have asked and I have received. I have asked and I have received silence. And, oh my soul, praise Him for so many of those unanswered prayers. Since I came back to Christ all those years ago with an eagerness to learn about Him and a desire to be better FOR HIM, life has just been…well, better. More joyful. More peaceful. I feel like somebody (namely, God) has turned on the lights. In times of distress, I know that I can go to His word and find peace. Every. Single. Time. And to tell you the truth, nothing has ever brought peace to my heart like opening the Bible does. I really should do it more often.

So now let me tell you my drive in writing this: I felt called to do it.

Nonbelievers, I was afraid to write this because I thought I might potentially lose you as followers of The Anthony Kitchen. Maybe you would think me ignorant for believing in things unseen. I worried that it could potentially one day hamper my chances to be a published cookbook author. That I would be smashing my dreams of becoming a well-known cooking personality if I get too specific about my faith. Maybe some of you are thinking “Hey food blogger, stay in your lane, stick to cooking and keep your mouth shut about the religious stuff,” right? But listen, God paved that lane, and I’m going to do my best stay in the one He designed specifically for me. I don’t want to judge you and I don't want you to judge me. This is simply something I needed to say, something I felt compelled via the Holy Spirit to write. Whatever backlash comes alongside it…just has to be worth it.

When I think of the burden Christ carries for me daily, how He just absorbs all my sin and grants me grace in return, I am overwhelmed. Because I truly, with my whole heart believe He died for me. I just can’t care if writing this hampers my career. It is minuscule compared to the glory He is due. If I can’t carry my faith alongside the success of The Anthony Kitchen, then I don’t want any of it at all.

And, nonbelievers, I care about you. Christ cares about you, and I hope that you will find your way to Him. I am praying that this writing from an unqualified, imperfect woman will touch you in a way that only the Holy Spirit can. And know this, wherever you are in your walk, whatever you have done, however unworthy you may feel, you are ALWAYS welcomed in the arms of the Father. You are His child and He loves you unconditionally.

And Christians, we just have to make an effort to stop. Stop judging each other AND the nonbeliever so harshly. And oh, it is hard to do isn’t it? Why is it so hard not to pass judgment on others? I was far more hesitant to begin this writing due to watchful eye of the Christian, rather than that of the nonbeliever.

The world is tempting and full of sin, and from time to time, we will find ourselves immersed in it. But, we are called to be a light for Christ. To be different. To take off our old selves and put on a new self in Him. So how do we do that? Well, I guess we have to know who Christ is in the first place. There is only one way to truly know him and have a relationship with Him, and that is to read and study The Word. However, I will provide you with one very important fact about our Savior: He loved the sinner so much that he suffered on a cross and died for him. You are a sinner. I am a sinner. He died for you and He died for me. No sin is greater than another. Imagine how many more people we could reach, and be a light for, if we replaced our judgments with a smile? With kindness? With love? That is what Christ called us to do in the first place, isn't it? To love others and bring them to Him.

I felt compelled to write this, because I am a Christian and I was afraid to shout it to the world. Because I am selfish, and I didn’t want to deal with any negative consequences that could potentially follow. But, we are called to testify and use our voices for His glory. So I would encourage you to testify. Tell the world who you are in Christ and what he has done for you. Truly, it is the least we can do.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

(Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

With love,

Kelly