6 Reasons Why I’m So Excited to Be a Christian in 2023

But it is also true that because of our access to technology and our world’s collective willingness to let go of “how things have always been done,” 2023 is a beautiful, exhilarating period of time for Christians of all ages, genders, and races to grow deeper in their relationships with God. 

Here are six reasons why I’m so excited to be a Christian in 2023:

1. Christians Are Ditching Legalism and Returning Back to the Heart of God

The first and biggest reason I am so hopeful to be a Christian in this day and age is because I see Christians in all sorts of spaces learn to start everything with the love of God–not how sinful they are.

Of course, I can’t speak to every Christian in every denomination in every country around the world. But I can speak to my experience as a non-denominational, American Christian who has seen church leaders, peers, and older friends come to brand new realizations about who God is and what he wants for our lives.

I’m not a social anthropologist, but if I had to, I would credit people and platforms like Timothy Keller, the Bible Project, and the Bema Podcast for changing how my corner of Christianity thinks about God.

Instead of being ruled by fear, we’re learning to be ruled by faith. Instead of focusing on how sinful we are, we’re learning to focus on how gracious God is. Instead of focusing on God’s wrath to keep our behavior in line, we’re learning to focus on God’s joy and affection for us, to keep us walking closely with God every day.

Many are crying out for an entire paradigm shift in Christianity today. I can honestly say that I see this happening in 2023. Let’s continue to “...throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

2. It’s More Socially Acceptable to Go to Therapy Than Ever Before

Awareness around our mental health is at an all-time high. I can remember even just when I was in elementary school, depression and anxiety were talked about in hushed tones. It wasn’t okay to have issues. It wasn’t socially acceptable to question your upbringing. And in the church, it was even less acceptable, because it was expected of people to be able to pray their problems away.

But today, we know that we can love Jesus with our whole hearts, and go to therapy for our wounds. We can have full faith in God, and take medication to help our brain function better.

As therapy becomes more socially acceptable overall, it is having amazing ripple effects in the church, in our families, and in our marriages. What a beautiful thing.   

3. It’s No Longer Seen as Selfish to Practice Self-Care

Closely related to it being more accepted in the Church to take care of your mental health is self-care. Self-care is such a buzz word today, so in case there’s still some resistance to this idea, let me define it really quickly: self-care is caring for yourself. It’s that simple!

It isn’t splurging on wasteful, material things or drinking wine and ignoring your kids. It’s taking care of yourself the way that God would want you to take care of his precious, beloved child!

I love that we are learning to view self-care as a legitimate form of worship. Self-care means we honor our God-given limits, protect ourselves from harm like our loving Father would want us to, and take time to enjoy his blessings.

I no longer feel pushed past my limits for the “sake of others” or feel guilty for saying “no” sometimes, even to church activities. I believe God will use my overflow to bless others, but I also believe that it is perfectly okay to know that I am worthy of care, too.

4. You Can Listen to Sermons and Lessons Anywhere

I would be nowhere near where I am spiritually if podcasts didn’t yet exist! I have learned so, so much about God and what he wants for my life through the Bema Podcast, the Bible Project, the Wild at Heart podcast, and Timothy Keller sermons. I know these have helped my church family so much, too.

These days, podcasts, YouTube videos, and reruns of your church’s Sunday service are all available at any moment. We can learn about God when we’re making breakfast, grocery shopping, or working out.  

And not only that, but we can learn about anything we want to! If we really want to grow in spiritual disciplines, there are a hundred episodes we can pick from. If we really want to strengthen our marriage in the Lord, there are whole podcasts dedicated just to that!

This means we can get specific, spiritual help more than we ever could before. How amazing. 

5. Contemplative Practices Are Being Taught Again

Contemplative practices like the sabbath, the Daily Office, and contemplative prayer were normal parts of Christian’s everyday walks centuries ago. And although we have largely lost those practices in our busy, over-stimulated Western culture, people are starting to learn them again.

I first learned about contemplative prayer through the Wild at Heart podcast and have been enthralled ever since. If you’re interested in learning how to practice, read my article here!

Contemplative practices are a way to directly experience God’s presence and receive guidance 

from the Holy Spirit. In our culture, what better way to rebel against Satan’s schemes to keep us so busy that we can’t experience God. I’m so excited that we are learning how to tap back into the heartbeat of God.

6. Social Activism Is a Way to Love God and His People

In previous generations (again, painting with a wide brush here), social activism was often seen as a distraction from someone’s faith, rather than an extension of it.

But I have seen a huge cultural shift, at least in my corner of Christianity since 2020, that questions this either/or mindset around social activism. Social activism, like caring for the poor, speaking out against racism, and protecting the lives of transgender people, regardless of whether or not you agree with their choices, are all biblical and powerful ways that Christians are showing their faith in Jesus, rather than deviating from it.

We are realizing that there are many acts of kindness that we can impart to “the least of these,” and that we are serving Jesus while we do it (Matthew 25:34-46).

Of course, there are many things we can still grow in as the Church universal, but I won’t list them here. I think it’s important to just take a moment and celebrate what God is doing through our culture, right now, at this moment.

As scary as it can be to part ways with tradition, it’s possible that our direction is headed right into the heart of God.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

Kelly-Jayne McGlynn is a former editor at Crosswalk.com. She sees the act of expression, whether through writing or art, as a way to co-create with God and experience him deeper. Check out her handmade earrings on Instagram and her website for more of her thoughts on connecting with God through creative endeavors.