The fact is I am on the inside. But I just can't help but wonder, what do outsiders see if they look into our church world. I know what we hope they would see. We would like for them to see people loving each other with an unusual love. We would expect them to see joy that they have heard exists there. They would look for a caring community that quickly rushes to those hurting within the church. Peace, calmness, purpose, an unhurried and sureness of life would be expected. At least that is probably what they have heard about us.
We that live daily in the church world get a little nervous when we are looked at to closely. We fear that the unconditional love will not be seen because it does not exist. The care and selfless sharing is usually missing. Those hurting may be found pushed aside because of important programs that need attention. We have talked so much about joy but the outsider may have a hard time finding it.
If they listen to our sermons they conclude that what is more important to us is the world we plan on going to rather than this present life. They then may wonder just why we gather around us more material things than we possible can use. This seems more important than treasures in another world.
They hear us pray, "Give us this daily bread," but what they find is our homes filled with more food that we could use in a month while around us people are in deed praying for their daily food. They may see us walk by the person in need without a thought of compassion.
Let me be quick to make sure we understand that this is not to be the real church of Jesus Christ. Our mandate is to be a compassionate caring church. We are to give food to the hungry. We are to bind up the wounded. We are to follow the example of our Master Jesus Christ and the life style He lived.
The secular world of news tells us that the gulf between the rich and poor grows daily. The hungry go to sleep at night with no hope for a better to morning. They have come to understand there is not going to be anyone who cares. Not even the church.
I cannot help but wonder just what our Lord thinks of us as His church when He watches us in action. He will see us gather for our times of worship but somehow we are able to separate that from our daily lives outside the church. Giving a couple of hours in worship. Putting a few pesos into the offering plates. That seems to appease God. What more could God possibly ask from us?
"God bless you," seems to be our way of dealing with our responsibilities as followers of Christ. When we see someone in need we merely say, "God bless you." Do we expect God to do what He expects us to do for one another. A "God bless you," is to be accompanied with what the person needs. That is a true "God bless you" and is fully understands to be just that - God blessing them.
Caring, compassion, a hand of mercy, giving, touching and helping is the church in action. If we do this the people of the world will not have to look into the church to see what it is all about, they will see it in us. We lend a hand in need and we do not need to say much of anything else. They will understand. That's the church.
We that live daily in the church world get a little nervous when we are looked at to closely. We fear that the unconditional love will not be seen because it does not exist. The care and selfless sharing is usually missing. Those hurting may be found pushed aside because of important programs that need attention. We have talked so much about joy but the outsider may have a hard time finding it.
If they listen to our sermons they conclude that what is more important to us is the world we plan on going to rather than this present life. They then may wonder just why we gather around us more material things than we possible can use. This seems more important than treasures in another world.
They hear us pray, "Give us this daily bread," but what they find is our homes filled with more food that we could use in a month while around us people are in deed praying for their daily food. They may see us walk by the person in need without a thought of compassion.
Let me be quick to make sure we understand that this is not to be the real church of Jesus Christ. Our mandate is to be a compassionate caring church. We are to give food to the hungry. We are to bind up the wounded. We are to follow the example of our Master Jesus Christ and the life style He lived.
The secular world of news tells us that the gulf between the rich and poor grows daily. The hungry go to sleep at night with no hope for a better to morning. They have come to understand there is not going to be anyone who cares. Not even the church.
I cannot help but wonder just what our Lord thinks of us as His church when He watches us in action. He will see us gather for our times of worship but somehow we are able to separate that from our daily lives outside the church. Giving a couple of hours in worship. Putting a few pesos into the offering plates. That seems to appease God. What more could God possibly ask from us?
"God bless you," seems to be our way of dealing with our responsibilities as followers of Christ. When we see someone in need we merely say, "God bless you." Do we expect God to do what He expects us to do for one another. A "God bless you," is to be accompanied with what the person needs. That is a true "God bless you" and is fully understands to be just that - God blessing them.
Caring, compassion, a hand of mercy, giving, touching and helping is the church in action. If we do this the people of the world will not have to look into the church to see what it is all about, they will see it in us. We lend a hand in need and we do not need to say much of anything else. They will understand. That's the church.
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