Do you ever get totally fed up with this thing we call church? There's a longing so strong and so deep inside me to be in a church that is all about the King! i know people try and most have the best of intentions, but we fall so drastically short of what I think church is supposed to be about. but...who am i to say what it's supposed to be?
maybe it's just that i want a version of church that fits my wants, needs, and preferences. regardless of the styles of worship, the length of the service, the attire, and all that superficial crap, i just want to be real where ever i go...you know, have real problems and real questions and issues without feeling like i'm the freak that "doesn't have a 'real' relationship with God". if my relationship with Jesus is not real then i have no ideal what a real relationship is. i know that in most relationships i'm in...i screw things up...ALOT! but, that doesn't make that relationship less real or meaningless.
why does this burn inside my heart so much even as i write this? i know why, cause my soul is crying out for Jesus in a way that only He can satisfy. no program, fancy stage set, or seamless production can ever quench that desire; only real communion with a real God and real followers of God who are willing to put away religious pious attitudes and start actually "caring about people" because they are people and not just a number to add to their bulletin board or impress with their "relevant" marketing. By the way, don't we have enough marketing thrown in our face. Jesus said, "Lift me up and i will draw all people to me". what part of that do we forget, or do we just think it's not totally true and that God needs our help in marketing what he did on the cross! Don't get me wrong, i have nothing wrong with finding ways to make church look enticing for non believers, but too often, once the novelty of the coolness wears off...there's nothing but empty words and false compassion ready to look down on you as soon as you don't look like what they expect you to look like.
i know i'm ranting here and i know this will probably make some people mad and ruffle a few feathers, but so be it. I love the church and i love the God that it points to...when it's actually doing that. you see, i'm totally between a rock and a hard place. i love to sing songs about and praises to my God, but sometimes i detest the place in which i have to go to do it. there are so many guidelines and certain unwritten laws that i know i have to conform to when i enter these places. it's not that i'm some sinner bound from hell wrapped in some facade...but i just feel that if i ever really shared about my struggles or problems i would be looked at as the weirdo that needs to "get his life right" when in fact everyone there would be in the same boat if the truth be told. that's what we have to get back to, a church (body of believers) who trust, love, care, and support one another through ANYTHING! that would be the best marketing tool anyone could ever conceive. that would be living out our faith and not just talking about what it does and doesn't mean to be in love with Jesus Christ.
having said all this, i know i present problems with no solutions and that i'm just as much of the problem as anyone else in the hypocritical thing called church. But after all isn't that the point, that we can be hypocrites and still be the church of the one true God...i mean we are human and we don't have it all together all the time or most of the time for that matter. but, there truly is an answer, and at the risk of sounding completely cliche, the answer is Jesus Christ the Son of God. if we just keep our focus on Him and Him alone and lift Him up and these other things will work themselves out. however, i can promise you it won't be easy or painless. in this situation, the end doesn't justify the means...it's all about the means
Be a blessing,
shane
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Shane...true words my friend. Stuff can be good, but "stuff is stuff".... I had this conversation this week...I think what folks are looking for is a break from the old school "tradionalism" that sometimes scares people away from coming in the doors. People, including me, long for a sense of community with other believers, with the goal to lift each other up "doing life" so we may focus on our REAL goal to show and tell people how much Jesus' loves them.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and your fam from Conway Arkansas
Darryl McPhate
your speaking my heart. I dont understand why people do all the things that they are told to have a good relationship with God but are hte fakest people I know. Making every effort made by the church as a whole seem strange and full ploys to make people interested in coming. Fake poeple putting check marks in the boxes on the "If i do this I am a good christian" list. No real love, well, the love is real its just superficial. The Word says that we are to live the way Jesus lived. if that is true than why do people only care about you when you are in the building? Why are there so many people in the sancuary but it feels like the most empty place? Why is it that I hate going to church because I don't meet God there? I meet him in my car or at the park on a swing. I think there are too many people in the church that have fear in them. Fear of what people will say, of them going to hell, or whatever type of fear that rends them thoughtless. Thoughtless to the point that they don't question what happens to them in church they accept it and do what they are told......with no heart. How do we infect our local church with a new love, a new feeling, and a new vigor for what Christ called us all to? Me? I keep hanging on. trying to be and find people that are real and truly have the face of Jesus. I encourage you shane. Keep seeking Him and keep seeking people that have the Jesus face. They are the ones that wont condemn or judge. They will love and embrace and accept.
ReplyDeleteFather Give shane your love and attention and fill his heart with you. I know what he is feeling and if it makes my heart ache then I know his is as well. Protect him and keep him in your hands.
Amen
You are His shane. He will prevail!
Yes, yes, yes! Hah, I couldnt have said it better myself. This is exactly what Georgia and I have been discussing without end for the past few months. Everything within the modern church seems to stray from the God aspect and focus more on the traditions and everything that you supposedly have to do to "be right with God". It is an incredibly unwelcoming feeling, to walk into a place where everyone is trying to show that they are the "perfect Christian". Its all just.. stiff. There is no real fellowship, its all just the superficial nonsense, its all just people casually saying "How are you?" instead of looking you in the eyes and saying "No, really. How are you?". I realize that example has almost become cliche, but its so true. The church has become so ritualistic and rigid. If anyone has a real problem, they are practically shunned. And I do realize I am basically just rewriting what youve already said. Im just glad someone else sees it. I cant tell you how many times, after something like Fall Retreat where everyone is so open and can really just be themselves with other believers who are trying and going through the same things, going back to church, any church, is difficult. The atmosphere is just so unaccepting. And Im not talking about one church, I mean the whole world wide system of "churches". I dont claim to know much, but it just seems to me that the first "Christians" werent this rigid and ritualistic. There was no tradition. They lived for God and through God, not giving a second thought to what society deemed acceptable. I firmly believe that todays "Christians" need to reach back to that. Its not about being perfect. Its about real fellowship, and helping each other, and striving with all your might to follow God and his plan for our lives. But, alas, thats just one fifteen year old girl's opinion.
ReplyDeleteWe as the people are the church and we are called to be a going church! Our worship happens in a church our fellowship with other believers happens in what we call church. But in reality it is just a building! We are the church, and we are called to take God's love outside of the church. As my pastor always says, We are not a church for saints we are a hospital for sinners! I love this phrase. Perhaps we put too much focus or emphasis on perfectionism and what others think of us rather than what is in someone's heart! God doesn't look at us and say, Oh look at how perfect the people are in that "Church" He looks and says what are the people of MY church doing to carry out the gospel. I agree with you Shane, there is too many people sitting on the throne pretending to be God and judging others, rather than looking inward! All churches have sinners even the pastor is a sinner, that is why we need a savior!
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