With a new work schedule, and an hour drive to my new job, family dinners are few and far between. When my wife and I were first married, a change occurred. I went from being a chef wannabe, to an observer. Not only did my wife love to cook, she loves to cook for me and her family, a job she does very well. And if you've lived in a multicultural home, you know that's no easy task.
As Americans, we have a very diverse menu. Due to our immigrant beginnings, we claim some Italian, some Mexican, some Chinese, and Several other countries' as ours. If your not used to eating such a varied smorgasbord, it's a lot to learn so I help where i can. The wife appreciates the break, and I LOVE to cook and to entertain my family.
The girls worked late the other night, and with a couple of new summer recipes, we had a spontaneous late night dinner date as a family. Short a few items, I ran to the store. As I parked my car, I noticed the SUV parked next to me. A massive beast of a truck, my eyes ran over the rear bumper, and I noticed several stickers. One warned the reader of touching God's anointed, the other seemed to confess their love of God, the third I think was a warning to the devil for ignoring the other two stickers.
After purchasing what I needed, I went out to my car to find the owner of said SUV unloading their things. On a whim, I offered to take her cart for her, because well that's what I do. She said thank you, finished loading her things, and I took the cart.
When I returned, she thanked me again, and handed me a tract about God's love. I confess I didn't read it. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I knew God, but something in her eyes told me she wasn't interested. So, I politely accepted and gave her my thanks,
As I drove home, the irony was smacking.
She loudly professed her faith, both through the literature and the stickers.
I chose not to speak mine, but only show it. Granted in a very small way, but just the same, I want my actions to speak louder than my words.
Down the road, an earth mover pushed dirt in what was going to be a church parking lot. For what it's worth, the church has been in construction for years. My heart felt a tug as i imagined the parishioners scraping, saving their money as their pastor told them a new home was needed. Only put your trust in God a little more, and we may actually finish the building.
For me, that is where Christianity and mainstream religion has gone completely off the reservation.
It's like putting the cart before the horse.
It's become about Sunday specials, about the lessons we teach or the products we sell. Somehow, we've found it necessary to have church buildings, choirs, and Sunday school? Why? None of that stuff is Biblical, yet its existence is held sacred. No clue why.
Christians have become so engrossed in politics, they forget about God. They've based and poke fun of LGBTQ and every other belief/lifestyle/choice that they don't agree with, it's almost like we live in the time of the Holy Crusades.
I've sat through services where, when giving is low, the pastor practically begs his congregation to give more. We have full time pastors who "dedicate" themselves to ministry, without working, but are forced to beg for increased tithing to maintain the lifestyle. Attendance records are talked about like numbers at a sales meeting. Then, they talk about furthering the cause of Christ, impressing on audiences that God could return at any time and again, more money is needed. In this economy, with folks losing jobs and homes left and right.
And the result? We've taught our congregations how to look, sound, and think like Christians, without showing them how to be one. Just because it sounds and walks and talks like a duck . . . . .
Even sadder is the religious right, or left, is quick to judge the same world they live in, and yet refuse to make a difference. They wait for the mountain to move before acting out of love for their neighbor. You must change and accept Christ before you are worthy they say. I've yet to find this illustrated anywhere in God's Word. But apparently it's there . . . .maybe in Hezekiah?
And yesterday, as Susy Spiritual drove away, I was both amazed and enlightened. This is what Christianity has come to. A gimmick, a bumper sticker, a piece of paper.
And the world wants no part of it. Nor should they.
The reality is, no buildings are needed. No bus ministries, no special groups - heck i'd even through no small groups in there. No seminaries, no special singing groups, no city on the hill mentality which seems to permeate every major Christian sect. In fact, that is where we have gone wrong.
I'm not sure, nor am I sure how, but Christians have become afraid of the world and the changing arena they live in. The easy answer is to retreat to a church, a building, a circle where it's safe, hold each other's hands and sing Kumbiya.
But that is not what the Bible says to do. And Christianity is paying the price as a result. So what are we to do?
Christianity has been compared to alot of things. Jesus' comparisons stuck out to me over the years, a He calls us light and salt. If you've been involved in Christianity as long as I have, you heard this preached on. And alliterated. And illustrated. and twisted and turned every which way. We Christians have a way of overcomplicating things. And there's a problem with that, because it's an extremely simply principle. Christ even told us that God uses the simple to confound the wise.
Light and salt are completely inanimate objects. They do not speak, do not make a sound, but their very existence affects a change. They don't stand on a street corner and judge the world for its wrongdoing. Not its job. They don't stand behind a pulpit as the organ plays, begging for decisions. Again not its job. It doesn't put bumper stickers or tracts in your face. It doesn't talk about what you wear, or drink, or do.
It just exists and changes the world it's placed in. Put salt on a wound and it impacts the area that it's in. It doesn't preach to the wound, it treats the wound, cleans it by it's very existence. The light doesn't tell the darkness it's coming, it is just there. Their very existence and only their existence, brings change. So what if we focused on that?
What if we lived every day with love, and allowed God to be the only judge? What if we passionately loved our families and cared for our neighbors, letting our actions tell the story? What if we stopped telling people we were Christians? Would they notice by the way our lives our lived? What happened if we loved our families like we were supposed to- wouldn't that be testimony in and of itself?
(i hear the religious right grumbling - that's because they must "do" something). Let me you in on a little secret - God doesn't need any of us to do his work. None. He doesn't need church buildings, or beautiful choir robes or special offerings. He doesn't need school buses or colleges, or special schools to show his grace and love. He needs none of it.
[Sad part is, you know this. You teach it, you hit people the head telling your congregations God doesn't need them. So let me get this right - he only needs you to tell them? The hypocrisy is smacking.]
What he does want us to do is to actually love those around us, like he did. He of all people could have harshly judged the prostitute, the beggar, the robber, the most vile of society. But he didn't - he loved them. And so should you. and that's
all you should be doing. Go ahead, I'll wait. Just let that sink in.
You see, it's true. He'd rather you be sincere and loving. and caring, and by your love for others, effecting a change. And Lord knows we need as much of that as we can. There's enough destruction Christianity has done. Pastor running off with the deacon's wife. Embezzling, swindling, betrayal, judging - it's all there in the church
But the living part - well, I've seen more of that outside of the church then in it. Which is completely sad. It seems those that live the faith you won't see in church on a Sunday morning. They've seen enough hypocrisy for a life time. And to be honest, so have I.
But in the off chance you do want something new, consider this.
What if you chose to live the life instead of talk about it? Not a word unless you're pressed. Yes, Peter tells us to be ready. Yet you seem to take creative license and judge everyone around you. Not always with your words, but if looks could kill . . . .
But maybe, just maybe if you just live it. Well, maybe then you'll see the changes you so desperately hope for. And who knows? You might actually enjoy the life God has given you.
So go ahead, why not give it a try?
