For those whose hearts have had enough, for those who are lonely and feel that they cannot go on, for those who need a friend but no one seems to come alongside of them. For those who are broken and can’t fit the pieces back together again. For those who have walked through this world and felt like they never belonged. For those who can’t seem to find their place and can’t seem to find a place to fit. For those who are one heartbeat away from a breakdown and one more rejection from giving up on it all. For those waiting for a phone call. For those who want to be loved and cared for.
This cannot be all there is. A “hi” and “we’ll see you next week” is not all that we are called for. We were meant to love each other and share life. Outside of the walls. A family doesn’t walk away from their own. They don’t leave the wounded to fend for themselves. How can we dismiss the Gospel accounts of the One who loved us so? We walk on the other side of the road when it comes to even our own. Intentions do not always equal action and as the wounded lay there, they see us walk by them. They came looking for a place to belong and be loved, but we failed them. And they know it. Another church and another heartbreaking end. Hope is waning. Faith is shaking. Doubt is winning the battle with Belief. Can there be a place for us? What is wrong with us? Will anyone ever love us as we are and help us get to where we need to be?
Another move and another town. Everything is new, Hope is renewed. Doubts left behind. The sun shines and anticipation overflows. But two years in and there is nothing but darkness. The light breaks through the crack, but only momentarily. Is this where we belong? Is there such a thing as Home? Shallowness swallows and devours anything that could hold meaning. We love each other at arm’s length and then wonder why they leave the church. Can there be a place for those who want to genuinely love God and want to genuinely love others?
Hope flickers. Love still alludes. Friendship has been redefined. Settling now for a handshake, a smile or some other form of greeting, this is the new normal. There’s gotta be more. There’s too much funk in this dysfunctional family. Seems like we can barely get through our two hours on a Sunday. Strangers for the next 166 hours of the week. What if our lives fall apart in between? What if you need me or I need you?
Brothers and sisters? I don’t know. Estranged maybe? When I want nothing to do with you and you want nothing to do with me, how can we say we are part of the same body? Falling out, falling away, and forsaking the assembling, why not? I bring nothing to the table and you offer nothing. Empty tables, empty talk, empty lives and emptiness. What is the point of all of this? This club we belong to that does nothing to advance.
We have been indicted. Guilty as charged. We have dropped the ball. Instead of being a hospital for the broken and hurting, we have become a museum for the well. Well dressed, put together, no problems, no time and an everything’s fine. It’s not a challenge to have it all together. It’s more of a challenge to share the fact that we don’t. Community cannot consist of these things. Unity for the wrong reasons and where truth is lacking is still disunity. False, Masks and the feeling that God is pleased. Oh my God, give us fresh eyes!
Help us to see all that we are not and all that you would have us to be! Help us to reach out and help others! Help us to be the lights and flavoring that this world needs! Help us to be sowers of good seed! Help us to do the work of triage that you have called us to do! Help us to love You with all of our minds, hearts, soul and strength! And help us to love everyone else with the same love and compassion that You have for us!
This cannot be all there is. A “hi” and “we’ll see you next week” is not all that we are called for. We were meant to love each other and share life. Outside of the walls. A family doesn’t walk away from their own. They don’t leave the wounded to fend for themselves. How can we dismiss the Gospel accounts of the One who loved us so? We walk on the other side of the road when it comes to even our own. Intentions do not always equal action and as the wounded lay there, they see us walk by them. They came looking for a place to belong and be loved, but we failed them. And they know it. Another church and another heartbreaking end. Hope is waning. Faith is shaking. Doubt is winning the battle with Belief. Can there be a place for us? What is wrong with us? Will anyone ever love us as we are and help us get to where we need to be?
Another move and another town. Everything is new, Hope is renewed. Doubts left behind. The sun shines and anticipation overflows. But two years in and there is nothing but darkness. The light breaks through the crack, but only momentarily. Is this where we belong? Is there such a thing as Home? Shallowness swallows and devours anything that could hold meaning. We love each other at arm’s length and then wonder why they leave the church. Can there be a place for those who want to genuinely love God and want to genuinely love others?
Hope flickers. Love still alludes. Friendship has been redefined. Settling now for a handshake, a smile or some other form of greeting, this is the new normal. There’s gotta be more. There’s too much funk in this dysfunctional family. Seems like we can barely get through our two hours on a Sunday. Strangers for the next 166 hours of the week. What if our lives fall apart in between? What if you need me or I need you?
Brothers and sisters? I don’t know. Estranged maybe? When I want nothing to do with you and you want nothing to do with me, how can we say we are part of the same body? Falling out, falling away, and forsaking the assembling, why not? I bring nothing to the table and you offer nothing. Empty tables, empty talk, empty lives and emptiness. What is the point of all of this? This club we belong to that does nothing to advance.
We have been indicted. Guilty as charged. We have dropped the ball. Instead of being a hospital for the broken and hurting, we have become a museum for the well. Well dressed, put together, no problems, no time and an everything’s fine. It’s not a challenge to have it all together. It’s more of a challenge to share the fact that we don’t. Community cannot consist of these things. Unity for the wrong reasons and where truth is lacking is still disunity. False, Masks and the feeling that God is pleased. Oh my God, give us fresh eyes!
Help us to see all that we are not and all that you would have us to be! Help us to reach out and help others! Help us to be the lights and flavoring that this world needs! Help us to be sowers of good seed! Help us to do the work of triage that you have called us to do! Help us to love You with all of our minds, hearts, soul and strength! And help us to love everyone else with the same love and compassion that You have for us!
RSS Feed
