Church, Wake Up. The people who once loved you are
disdained by you. Frustrated. Perturbed. Angst within by what you stand for.
The people who you want to reach call you hypocrite. Not
relatable. Judgmental. Confused.
I understand you pride yourself on diversity through
denominations but you’re doing more dividing than bringing together. From every
edge of the spectrum you’re representing with the loudest of voices. But what
is it that people really see and hear?
There’s the “Kim Davis Christian” who refuses to sign a
marriage license in the name of Jesus. There’s the “Social Injustice Christian”
who wants to stand for righteousness, hash-tagging black lives matter, screaming
justice for all. There’s the “Come and Sit in the Pew Christian” who hasn’t
really found their place in the social club (I mean church) that they come to
each week. They give, they serve, they love, but no one really bothers to even
know their name. They just blend in.
There’s the “Play It Safe Christian”; doesn’t speak up about much of
anything; the not quite sure where you stand, Christian. I could go on.
Church, Wake Up.
I still believe in your relevance. I still believe that
you are the called out; the chosen; the bride of Christ. But you’ve lost your
identity. No one knows who you are or what you stand for anymore. You’ve dissolved your existence in tradition,
legalism, and a mere social outing, where we once were known for changing
lives; for love, peace, tolerance, faith, hope: miracles.
I’ve written and re-written this post several times, and
it all comes back the same. Before we comment,
like and share this one, I pray that we are more introspective; that we dig
deep on this one, because you and I are the church. I pray that something stirs
in you to stand up for truth, to love people deeper than you ever have and to
find a united front in knowing that Jesus is real and is still relevant to a
dying world; a world that needs hope; a world that needs you.
Church, please wake up. I say this with utmost sincerity
and no criticism for what others may believe. But you that do: you believe
because of what you know to be true. You have an “I once was lost but now I’m
found story.” You believe this! You can still be relevant without being
hypocritical. You can still love without judging. You can still be a leader
without compromising and be effective. But the world is laughing at us. And
they’ve lost respect.
Church, Wake UP!
The time will always be now. Change starts with us.
Return back to the basics of what we once knew. Stop hiding from what your
struggles are and face them head on. The world waits. “For all creation is
waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children
really are.” (Romans 8:19) Revival is coming. Let's be present when it gets here.
