 |
| billygraham.org |
It's not even enough to say 'don't be influenced', or 'think for yourself', over a loud minority, because sometimes our 'self' can't see clearly either; our hearts and how we 'feel' are not indicative of the reality of things, (Jeremiah 17:9) not at all. With 'talk', and potential harm within the body, for me and for you, please, ask Your Father first, for clarity, for help. Let's trust God; trust what He says, His character; begin looking for how He thinks; then match and conform our thinking to His (Romans 12:2), swapping our behavior for His. Seek Truth.
"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
Ephesians 5:11
We are brothers, we are sisters; we are a family. I guess it's okay, easy, and even good for some of us still here to be able to say, "it's okay. Let that go, let them go. God will move us forward; don't think about it." But for me, in that, I see a dark path I don't want to walk down. It's where firestarters go to become mummified. Where young, zealous, passionate believers gradually become encased in their own cynicism and weird forms of pride, disguised as 'experience'. Where rich, soft, teachable soil goes to die. It was like a vision into my future, a warning. I don't ever want to ignore, forget, marginalize, or minimize Your commands to love You and to love my brothers, and to exemplify the first by the latter. Keep me near your heart, God; keep me with You! I won't listen when they tell me to harden up! I'd rather feel the weight of this a hundred times over, every single time, in the moments of this glorious walk together, and break over it, than harden myself to it.
Words wound (James 1:26, 3:2-10, 4:11, Proverbs 15:4, 17:9, Titus 3:1-2), and it's a check for all of us.
And maybe these words sting too, because what You've created here is my home. It's where and how You brought me back to you, through the body, not a building. It's where You gave me growing pains, it's taking first steps, learning to ride a bike, growing up together on this messy, holy ground. It's where I was married, where my babies slept and made their first friends. Where we learn together, and teach together, and fall down together, and 'get back up again' (Proverbs 24:16) together. A hundred times over, it's grace.
Personal conviction: {We are not called to jump ship; we are called to drop anchor.}
There may be problems; there may be big problems, and hurts, and lack, and weakness, and apathy, ignorance, pride...it's okay, keep going! The list of issues could go for miles, in and out of many rooms, trailing down the hall, and out the front door of this broken House.
But God loves broken. Anything redeemed reveals evidence of His presence and faithfulness to us: His penmanship, His fingerprints, His ownership over these beautifully flawed works in progress, each church, each person. Please wait, please be patient. Please give more grace, please remain faithful.
Please...
Pray. (Philippians 4:6, James 5:16, Colossians 4:2, Hebrews 4:16). Pray for your leaders. Meet with them. Encourage them. Then, keep praying. Meet with each other, lovingly confront. Never give up; He doesn't!
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Romans 8:26-27
Stay unified.
Love each other.
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you not look only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:1-4
"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future."
Ephesians 4:1-4
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."