Today’s Church is a whole lot of everything, but to many its a whole lot of nothing. With all the differences between churches, and all the crap that goes on, it’s a wonder we have a Church at all. When I say “Church” I mean the family of God that calls themselves Jesus followers.
I believe in critical thinking, processing information in a holistic way, such as with peers, teachers, elders, and youth, getting other people’s perspectives. It doesn’t mean we have to be in agreement, and it doesn’t mean we have to seek approval or confirmation from others – it does mean we need to have an honest assessment of our own thinking and how it may affect others, and for us followers, how it affects the Church. We are all responsible for the state of the Church, when we decide to disconnect, slander, or be apathetic, we choose to allow poor behaviors to harm others – this is not love, this is not the greatest of the commandments that Jesus speaks about. In fact, in my view, this is the complete opposite.
Lord,
I ask for your wisdom in living amongst your people, I get how to love you (or so I think I’m gaining in that area), yet I am grieved and disheartened by people, and to love on people who seem so bent on doing their own thing seems like a waste of time – and yet, I know I must continually act in Love and not on my own understanding. So I ask for your heart, your words, and your love, for mine does not understand. – In Jesus’ name, Amen.