A Different Approach

Look at fear in the face and move forward!  That's easy to chant or to sing in a crowd but most difficult to live day to day.  Yesterday reminded by Beth Moore via simulcast that fear is secret killer and that it is often invisible with a tremendous power to paralyze.  How this tune sings loudly in my head causing me to stand, cemented like stone.

Why haven't we taken the plunge?  Why am I not able to speak up?  How can the people ignore such?  Why do so many feel hopeless?  As I worshipped yesterday, in the comfort of a well air conditioned stadium-like center, coffee in hand, muffin on plate, I was deeply moved by where the modern church has mistaken disciple-like Jesus following ministry to safe head counting folks.  I think it was not the intention of church but slowly the comfort of being "the same" overwhelming the gospel and making very little room in the inn.

A close heart friend and I stood during prayer time, crying at the place the church has found its home.  A home where little interruptions occur and the smelly distractions of people who aren't "pretty" have a spot to sit or even escorted to the back row.  The mentally and physically challenged are escorted often to private rooms where their bizarre arm wavings or dancing won't again be a distraction.  The "pretty" people sit nicely looking similar waiting for worship to begin, hoping that nothing will surprise them.  It's all about expectations of the experience; what I am used to and prepared for.  Then at the awaited unspoken time, the silent internal bell rings, dismissing all folks to leave the way they entered, barely if at all changed.

Thank you Beth for challenging us to let the old self, the dead stinky self that was alive before my encounter with a Living God, be buried.  Stop making room for this extra weight; making excuses on his/her behalf.  A new life in Christ is just that!  New Life.  A new way to see the world and all its flaws.  Making welcome the stranger, no matter the smell or the color of skin or the piercings or tattoos that make me a bit uncomfortable.  Leaving God's work to God; just practicing being a vessel of love and no condemnation.  How can the brokenhearted know that God loves them Or believe us when our "tract" or light up sign in the front yard tells them IF we aren't willing to share our pew?  If we aren't willing to buy their lunch?  If their burden isn't sharable because it makes me afraid or uncomfortable?

Am I or are we really that conditional that fear of the different has that deafening power over us?  Am I more committed to the law of the land than to extend Love?  I guess so.  I see pods of folks chatting quietly, because loudly would be rude...like God can't hear gossip.  Really?  I am embarrassed at the ignorance our society has diluted God's power to free those in prison or give sight to the blind or free the prisons of the mind.  Do we or do we not believe that Christ died, shed God's blood, for every soul?

I am not satisfied but not angry.  I am committed to raising my children to be passionate to the world.  The world has nothing to offer when it comes to eternal things; it's my joy and responsibility to live life a LIGHT unto this dark world.  To preach good news to anyone who will listen.  Preaching by lifestyle, and according to Augustine using words sparingly.

Make welcome this day freedom under God's mercy table not a book of laws.  A place where all are welcome and not judged.  Leave judgment to God and let him do His work among us; we might find that our hearts are the ones in most jeopardy.  God is able to exceedingly above all we think or imagine begin and finish a work He has in store for us.