Life As a Church

As I indicated in a recent social media post, the church universal may be acting in desperation right now. Leading us to make hasty choices and push under-equipped believers onto the front line. As if we can overcome decades worth of shallow superficial faith in a measly two-day revival. Yet, as I also indicated, many people are reluctant to go beyond basic training in hopes of avoiding the responsibility of the mission for one reason or another. Yet our leaders seem to be at a loss on what to do about this. Some just keep repeating themselves in hopes of a different response. Some even go as far as to become accusatory. Yet what I’m ultimately getting at is, if you want to revive the church, you got to revive the people in it first.

“When I encountered God, I noticed that many Christians weren’t passionate about much, at least on the outside.” -Lacey Sturm, The Reason

Sure you can put a brand new roof on a leaky house. But, if the walls are termite-infested don’t be surprised if the house collapses in the process. You can replace all the rotten walls of a building, but if the foundation is crumbling you are only buying yourself a minuscule amount of time.

Life as a Church

It is not that much different with people. If the foundation of self is a mess (heart) all the whitewash in the world isn’t going to change that in a real and meaningful way. We all have a story, and most of them remain untold because we shame people for them, rather than support them through overcoming it. Leaving people to bear their burdens all alone. This is often where people ultimately falter. As we push on them to be what we need them to be, rather than direct them toward what they need to grow and heal.

All the different words used to describe the inner self are hard to define Biblically because there is just so much overlap. For example, both soul and spirit refer to the spark of life bestowed by God, however, the soul also has strong ties to the mind, much more than the spirit does. So not exactly the same. One thing is certain though, The heart is the center of it all. While pop culture may equate emotions as the predominant part of the heart, scripturally speaking it is actually the weakest. 

 'Can a world of posers tell you to do anything but pose? As Buechner Says, We are in constant danger of being not actors in the drama of our lives but reactors, "to go where the world takes us, to drift with whatever current happens to be running strongest." -John Eldredge, citing Frederick Buechner

Therein lies a big obstacle we must contend with. The secular world is quick to approve and validate posers, as long as you pose on their terms. Christian posers can’t even begin to compete with the united front of mainstream media on this one. So I guess we have no choice but to fall back, regroup, and take on the expensive labor-intensive task of foundation repair. If we did that, then maybe the Holy Spirit may start dwelling within us once again. Then the people will be moved to rebuild the walls and prepare the way for the roof we have needed for so long.

To make what I am saying more relatable, let me share this. Growing up I had to watch all the people seeking more than physical presence, and basic physical needs from my father get hurt repeatedly. So I learned that maintaining a safe emotional distance was best with him. While that is but the tip of the proverbial mountain that I must move, I can assure you it has trickled down into every aspect of my life. Something that has led to receiving constant criticism over the years, the irony of it all is, that my father was one of my biggest critics. Blissfully unaware that he was the one who initially taught me to not rely on anyone. Even today within the church there is this pressure for everyone to be a part of outreach, even if we have little to offer them once we get them in the door. Other than a mission they aren’t ready for yet.

Can you relate to feeling left out because you’re not a coveted foot in the body of Christ? Or are you content being just another observer. Leaving your heart and holiness incomplete.

The Visual PARABLEist