So you don’t like church.
And you are less sure than you used to be about God.
And you’d rather follow Him in secret than be a “Christian” in the open, cause those Christians — well, you’d rather not say it but . . .
There’s just a lot of hate out there.
And a lot of judgment too.
And frankly, it’s uncomfortable, showing up and waiting for the other foot to fall. Because it seems like it always falls, right when you’ve decided it’s safe to breathe and smile and love.
You’ve heard it all, haven’t you?
I love you now, but I’d love you more if . . .
Jesus loves you now, but he’ll love you more when . . .
You’re welcome to come, but you can’t ___________ unless _____________ . . .
There’s a rule that says hurt people hurt people, and there are a lot of hurt people in those churches, aren’t there?
A lot of hurt people sharing their hurt, and not in the healthy way.
So you stay home. First tentatively, and then more brazenly. Because who misses the church when there is more love in the form of your dog on the sofa than in a whole house of God?
And you jut your chin defiantly and make plans for Sunday brunch . . . because if your soul can’t be full then at least your belly can.
But what if . . . the church misses you?
What if the church needs your questions and your openness?
What if the church needs to hear you knocking, not just from behind the keyboard in your house in but in person, in real time?
What if faith in action is always risky, and almost always requires wrestling?
What if we need to wrestle together, not with each other – but with the things that divide us?
What if we need to serve together? To humanize each other and move past position statements?
What if we need to knock in unity until we can each individually read that book as a book of love, of life, of living?
What if the church doesn’t always have to be a house of answers but can be a house of questions? A place where broken people surrender broken hearts and question together: God, can you meet us here?
What if we all focused less on being the authority and instead focused on knowing the heart of the one and only true authority?
What if?
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Luke 22:24-27: “Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
Colossians 3:12-14: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselveswith compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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