I wrote this blog 4 years ago, but updated it today as it is even more relevant now…
This morning when I turned on my phone, the first thing I saw was another celebrity taking their life. As I stood in the shower crying out to the Lord on behalf of all of those suffering, those in darkness, in despair, those experiencing hopelessness, injustices, etc. I was wondering, where is the Church/Body of Christ in all of this? Are we really doing our part to reach a lost and dying world? When did things change so much that we are more concerned about political parties, someone’s skin color, their religion, their sexual orientation, what side of the tracks they live, etc.? I look at my social media news feed and I hardly recognize the friends that call themselves Christians and the ones that have yet to know God.
Today we post scripture and tomorrow we criticize someone in the government using the most hateful, vitriolic language. We declare that if you vote for one party over another, you can’t possibly be a Christian. We spew hatred, division, antagonism and judgement based on who we associate with and where we get our news. We forget that we prayed about going on missions trips to the very places that we spurn our brothers and sisters. We don’t want them in our country but want to go to theirs to spread the love of Christ. How?! How do we expect them to receive anything from us in good faith, when we have only shown judgement! We want to be cool, so we use terminology from the world like Bada__!! How are we different? When did we stop reaching out to others who differ from us? When did we stop being a safe haven for anyone and everyone? When did the church become a political super pac?! Yes, the world does reflect the Church and if that is the case, then we are in BIG trouble!!
* If I am a minority, can I feel safe coming to you the Church? Or will I be judged?
* If I speak with an accent, will I be accepted by you the Church? Or will I be judged?
* If you find out that I voted differently from you will I be welcomed by you the Church? Or will I be judged?
* If my lifestyle doesn’t line up with what you consider to be Christian, will you still love me Church? Or will I be judged?
* If you found out I made a huge mistake in my life, will you still love me Church? Or will I be forever looked at through your lens, my mistakes and be judged?
* Can I trust you Church to love me in spite of? Or will I be judged through your ideals, expectations, self-righteousness, etc.?
How are you the light? How can you lead me out of the darkness when you yourself seem to display it with your words, your actions? How are you different from me when you spew curse words when you are angry, frustrated or want to be relevant? How are you different from me when instead of encouraging me to pray for and about all government leaders, you tell me who I should and should not pray for; and who is deserving of God’s Mercy, His Forgiveness and His Love. You do not encourage me to seek the Lord in everything!! You do not let me know that despite who I am, you are a safe harbor. Instead, I see the anger, the hatred, the bias; I see everything that I struggle with daily. How are you the light?
Church, this is just where I was this morning in my time with the Lord. I cried out to Him with everything I see daily on my social media news feed and on the news. This world has enough darkness in it that I personally don’t need to add to it. “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” (Romans 8:19 NIV)
So be revealed Sons/Daughters of God!! If you have to, examine your heart…it is something I do daily. It is absolutely necessary that we look within and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal in us anything that will stop us from being His Light, that will cause us to speak or act opposite to who He is. We are supposed to have the character traits of our Father. We are to be His Hands and Feet. If that is the case, God is Love! He died for you and me and even those who will never love Him. For He is Love!!
Are you love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version (NIV)4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
