Is Church Irrelevant

We are living in an "Entertain Me" world that has lost its way when it comes to what is important. Recently I was involved in a discussion as to whether the Christian Church had become irrelevant. I was really surprised at the number of people who quickly agreed that church did not always meet the needs of the general population. What struck me was the world view that has pervaded even this Sunday School class saying that the church must somehow always be non-invasive, all accepting and politically correct. While I agree we are called to love everyone, where they are, I must disagree that this should in some way override the tenants of Gods will for our lives.

As a Christian I cannot fully comprehend the price that was paid on my behalf on the cross. The God who created the entire universe and all time beginning to end from out of a void, chose to become a man so that I would know that he knew about life here on earth first hand. He withstood the horror of the crucifiction when he could have waved it away and ruled as king on earth in an instant. That God, Christ among us, deserves my devotion. I trust him to know more than me. I acknowledge that his plan is probably better than mine. (Probably here is used sarcastically) I must come to a place where the things and plans and worship of the world are of no consequense to me. Obedience to his will, written down for me in the Bible, is the sweet spot of life. If I try to make sense of it today it may not appear correct. When I look backwards over the glaring disparity between those times I was deferential and those times I was prideful... let's just say I am sad for what waywardness has done in my life.

Don't get me wrong, I love to be entertained. I even truly believe a church needs to be entertaining to draw people in. I just want to make sure that the church has a compelling program of growth; from entertaining to engaging to compelling to devotion to worship to service moving finally into grace. After all, Gods grace offers the peace we are seeking when we salve our conscience with entertainment anyway. Move away from the societal worship of insubordination and into a place of understanding that compliance with God's plan, sharing Grace with others, is what we really need anyway.

Challenges

There are two types of people, those that see problems as impassable roads and those that seek out the rough roads and relish in conquering them. Too often we focus on the pain of the burden instead of the joy of the journey. Without the challenge there would be no victory. Make your passage through life something to be proud of. Each step towards the summit should be savored, every battle celebrated and each day cherished.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

-- Robert Brault

Contrite Obedience

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the Lord. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word".
Isaiah 66:2 NIV

Contrite - adjective
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent.

We live in a world that has somehow strayed from the path that God has laid out. He wants what is best for us, has given us the Bible as a series of lessons lived out in others lives, yet we think we know better. In the title of this piece I used two words that are at the center of God's loving plan for us. It amazes me how vilified those terms have become. It all goes back to the third chapter of Genesis when the serpent deceived Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit. From that point forward, the Old Testament is a collection of stories about people who are given the favor of God, then choose to believe that success has come from their own abilities. Pride is an overarching sin that takes many forms. The most worrisome part is that we are so adept at attributing good things to our pridefulness. We cannot seem to separate confidence from pride. It seems to be attached to any accomplishment we have. In our society it seems to have been supplanted at the pinnacle of success.

Why then does God call us to obedience and contrition? He knows that there is blessing in serving others. He knows and is trying to share with us what a world full of people striving to make life better for others would look like. We can look around and see what a world ruled by arrogance, fame and scheming is like. I truly believe that most anyone who will take time to seach their heart will find that they know something is very wrong with the current system. The problem is the inability to admit that what you have always thought of as right has actually been the barrier that has held you back.

Jesus, God walking around on Earth, came to show us an example that we might learn. If the mighty God of the universe that created all that is from out of nothingness can pause to wash the feet of his egoistic apostles, then surely I can control my need for recognition and power. When you take the steps of acknowledging the errors of your lifestyle, making a conscious effort to change, and then view existence through this different lens, God will allow you to see the real order of life. There is peace on his quiet and safe path. Others will seek to take advantage of your new humility, but inside you will see their attempts for what they are; Fearful people trying to gain happiness as they burrow deeper into the slime of imperious distrust. Once you are able to see their journey for what it really is, it becomes easier to follow the path that Jesus traveled... that of a servant leader.

Perserverance

For you, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance. Psalm 66:10-12

I have recently been going through some times that have challenged me. It gives me comfort to know that it is all part of a process. Just as the year has seasons, our lives have ups and downs and the way we respond to them is the test for our character. I’m afraid that I haven’t always lived up to my best through this process. It is very easy these days to fall into the victim mentality and whine about your problems. There is even a small amount of gain that can be accomplished through these actions. What most people do not realize is that once you are labeled a victim you will be left behind by those who are moving towards greater victories. Victims are not dependable when the challenge becomes too large.

I have chosen to do everything I can to take responsibility for my actions and accept what rewards or setbacks may come my way. I feel that even losing can be considered a victory if you view it correctly. What did I learn? How can this be avoided or overcome in the future? Am I stronger or wiser with this experience? These things will set apart your actions from those who internalize failure and never hold themselves accountable.

In the Bible I love to read of David. He personifies all of the failures and blessings that each one of us have available. He is the forgotten younger brother. He is a brash young man. He is a favorite, then enemy of a king. He is remembered and protected by a friend who just so happens to be the king’s son. (I have always admired the strength of Jonathan to see God’s plan for David over himself. He was able to assist David but also stand beside his father, Saul, to the end.) He was like a hunted animal when Saul sought to destroy him. He was the King. Yet even as the king he continued to have failures. The difference with David was that he always admitted his failures and asked God’s forgiveness. When you are the king it would be very easy to fall into a feeling of self-importance. In your life be careful to recognize the difference between confidence and arrogance is gratitude. David had problems but he knew where to go with them. David knew the real King.

If you think your pain is unbearable and unfair read the book of Job. It is a very interesting aside in the Bible that speaks of one mans devotion to God. Satan believes that he can turn this man from his love of God. There are some horrible things that happen to Job and then worst of all his friends abandon him and blame God for the atrocities. Job however remains steadfast and everyone is convinced of his relationship in the end. I hope to not have to go through what Job did but it does remind me that God is always there patiently allowing us to bear up to the hardships and bear witness to His presence in our lives. If you let Him down you are showing support for the enemy. Satan wants you to not only give up but to do it in a very public way so that he can use you for his purposes. Who do you want to be an example of?