Church, We are Being Hailed into a New Time and Way of Being!
Church, the culture is needing the church to step up and be the church in a much different way. As the church has retracted into its own cocoon focused on internal desires and preferences, the world has become more divisive, conflicted, hateful, lonely, isolated, depressed, and anxiety-ridden. The church has lost its way as being the deliverers of love and hope for the world.
Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
the mere sound of his name will signal hope,
even among far-off unbelievers.
Matthew 12:21 MSG
Church, we have not only lost our ability to deliver hope to our communities, but we have become fearful. Yes, it is obvious that God knew we would need to be reminded about not being fearful. It is repeated in the Bible 366 times - one reminder for every day including leap year. We have developed a mindset of scarcity rather than abundance. Do we need to be reminded how Jesus fed the 5000 with very limited resources (five loaves and two fish)?
Church, are we being called to get over ourselves? To once again become the light, love, and hope for humankind? In Ephesians 4:22, we are reminded to shed our old selves to renew our thinking and clothe ourselves with the new person created according to God’s image.
Church, we are not a building. The church is a people. The church is to be a movement of people who believe in God, the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, and through their works brings love and hope to the world. We are called to “go” - not stay and be comfortable in our facilities with beautiful stained glass windows and marble altars.
Church, are we being called for a time of revival (renewed attention, improvement in our condition and strength)? Is it not time for spiritual renewal? Psalm 80:3 reminds us to ”seek the Lord’s favor for restoration of His people. And because we belong to the church, we too are His people.”
The time for tweaks, shifts, and new strategies has come, gone, and proven to be ineffective. We must first regain our call as the church with humility and repentance. Only then can we once again become the hope, love, hands, and feet so desperately needed in our broken world.
We can be the church once again that Jesus dreamed of and commanded us to be. But, we must first get over ourselves, repent, and seek holy guidance. Then, as we are promised, all things are possible through Christ, our Lord. How are you leading your church in this new time and way of being to bring love, light and hope into the world?
