From the Chronicles of "ACK!! I'm too busy!!!"....
We Christians all love Jesus, and are often comforted by his soothing words. So hear
these from Matthew 11:28-30:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Did you ever wonder how Christ knew so much about what it was like to be so weary? Maybe it was because he spent all those years walking around hot, dry, war-torn lands in holey shoes and helping hungry, poor, and oppressed people find hope in a new God no one really believed in. Or maybe because he had just spent the last several months walking in the wilderness, performing countless miracles of healing and compassion, and unveiling a whole new way for the world to know God. Maybe, like so many of you, he was just so busy all the time with all the stuff he had to do that he barely had time to stop and rest.
Christ knows the contents of your schedules, your IPhones, and your hearts and souls, because of your relationship with Him, so imagine what you would tell Him if He asked you the question above:
Who really needs Church, anyway?
In this world of busy schedules, trying to keep up
with the steep expectations of school or work, athletic or musical performances, being enough for our kids or families, fitting in socially, finances, etc, etc, etc,
it's actually a pretty good question. Given all these things competing for your energy and time, is church something that you
really need? Is is a place where you find God and experience Christ?
Is God or Jesus something that you really need? Where do you find God?
Where does Jesus exist in your life?
Now, imagine what Christ would say to you if you asked Him a similar question. "Why do I really need church, anyway?"
While you listen and discern for what Christ's answer to you might be, here is mine:
I need a church that is more than just a church. What if it were more like one of those families where everyone who walked in the door was welcomed and embraced, no matter what.? What if it was a refuge - a place where we could take time out of our busy lives to rest, be ourselves and know that we will be supported for who we are. What if it was a place where God met us in person, in how we treated each other, in how we celebrated each others lives, in how we worship together, and in how we served others who need it most? What if church was more than just new carpet, or an updated brochure, or a capital campaign, or a marketing campaign to bring in the millennials? What if church was not just another place to make ourselves busy, but rather a place where our burdens were lightened because we learned how to bear one another's yokes?
In this increasingly turbulent world, we need more pools where we can rest and be renewed by one another. We need more places where no one is excluded, judged, or less than anyone else. We need more places where our deepest longings, wounds, and fears are met with the best parts of God's love - places where people stop and take the time to show up for each other, and in doing so allow each other to experience Christ. Because this showing up, not in a building, but in each other's lives - that is Church. And if that is church, make room in the pool - because I'm jumpin' in!
Now, imagine what Christ would say to you if you asked Him a similar question. "Why do I really need church, anyway?"
While you listen and discern for what Christ's answer to you might be, here is mine:
I need a church that is more than just a church. What if it were more like one of those families where everyone who walked in the door was welcomed and embraced, no matter what.? What if it was a refuge - a place where we could take time out of our busy lives to rest, be ourselves and know that we will be supported for who we are. What if it was a place where God met us in person, in how we treated each other, in how we celebrated each others lives, in how we worship together, and in how we served others who need it most? What if church was more than just new carpet, or an updated brochure, or a capital campaign, or a marketing campaign to bring in the millennials? What if church was not just another place to make ourselves busy, but rather a place where our burdens were lightened because we learned how to bear one another's yokes?
In this increasingly turbulent world, we need more pools where we can rest and be renewed by one another. We need more places where no one is excluded, judged, or less than anyone else. We need more places where our deepest longings, wounds, and fears are met with the best parts of God's love - places where people stop and take the time to show up for each other, and in doing so allow each other to experience Christ. Because this showing up, not in a building, but in each other's lives - that is Church. And if that is church, make room in the pool - because I'm jumpin' in!
Note: To readers who don't follow the Christian faith, neither this nor any of my other posts are intended to elevate my belief in God above either your beliefs or disbelief, with the exception that I will freely and tirelessly confront any belief system, Christian or otherwise, that justifies hatred, injury to others, or abuse of power.
