The church is supposed to be the representation of Christ on
Earth. And when I look at Jesus the things that He most loved were first and
foremost His Father, God, and secondly He loved people. Isn’t that what He said
were the top two commandments? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
soul and mind and the second, love your neighbour. It’s all about people!
That’s why I get upset, maybe sad, maybe furious when the
church seemingly puts other things ahead of God, people and ensuring the
interaction between these two. I get upset when schedules get in the way or
politics or perfection or undeserved repeated history or properness or
politeness or…. When these things get in the way then I don’t think that we’re
being the church very well. I don’t think we represent the Kingdom of God well
when the order of these get messed up.
My hope for the church and I think God’s hope for the church
is that we would represent well. As a member of a church, a believer in Christ,
what He stood for and the attempt to leave a legacy worthy of the calling that
we have received then I want nothing short of our high calling to a highly
deserving God.
…
Sometimes I think we need patience. We always need grace and
sometimes I think it’s just fine to be really upset about certain things so
long as we process and act reasonably, loveably and peaceably out of those
feelings. But sometimes I don’t want to…
So for now I’ll hold my tongue for this time of raw emotion and
continue to strive for a pure church that strives to fully represent a pure
Savior. God knows well that others have shown much patience and have extended
much grace my way in many times previously and so I will attempt the same that
even in moments of difference that we might still be the representation that we
are called to be.
Grace and peace to you as you might journey through these
moments in your life. Stay true to your high calling that you have received
knowing that the power of Christ will compel you to act honourably.