Stop The Mess!
Don’t Play Games with Yourself!
Every day we look upon death and destruction, homelessness, and say, “Thank You God that’s not me!” If we have compassion, we give a few dollars and are then grateful again, “I did my part, where I could.” We congratulate ourselves for being “good stewards”, for having just enough to share. We did what we could. We have mortgages, rent to pay, car notes, and groceries. Occasionally, we go out with friends for a bite to eat. We buy new clothes, either as replacements or because we saw a really good deal on something we’d like to have, something we’ve denied ourselves. And we say, “This is good.”
We read or listen to the news–wars in Israel, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, Pakistan/Afghanistan, Venezuela, Conflicts in Yemen and the Red Sea. All of these and more, we say, “Thank God it’s not affecting me!” Then we move on, oblivious to those who are affected. Either not knowing our neighbor’s son or daughter just down the block, in the house or the apartment down the way, has family in one of those countries, or military personnel fighting for our continued freedom and stability in one of those areas, because we don’t really talk to our neighbors, or because we don’t ask anyone how they are doing.
We go to church on some Sundays or watch it live at home on TV, or maybe later on YouTube, or on the church webpage, when it’s convenient–after a professional sports event or our children’s team sport that just so happens to be at the same time as Sunday Service. And we say, “Life is good!”
Every Sunday, pastors and reverends all over the world wake up to deliver a sermon or sermonette on how to live the Christian life. They add anecdotes they pray are funny to keep you entertained, hoping the message will be smooth enough to whet your appetite to just maybe read the entire gospel.
Choir members gargle and trill to awaken their voices, hoping they sound good for you, their family, and friends who might be in the pews. Choir directors hope everyone remembers the lines of the songs and keeps the harmony together.
Musicians tune their instruments, exercise their fingers or lips, roll their shoulders, and move their arms to ensure they are loose and not stiff.
Deacons put on their tags to ensure you know who they are, with the hope that someone will ask a question befitting their wisdom, or maybe someone will come to receive prayer. Maybe someone will notice they are there to help.
Elders awaken thinking about the mission and vision of the church, thinking, “Maybe we’ll collect enough money today to help pay off the mortgage or keep the lights on, or pay the pastor and the staff.”
And every Sunday that you go, you enjoy the air conditioning or the heat, depending on the season, notice the walls need paint, or everything looks really pretty or shabby. But everyone is smiling, dressed, not fancy anymore, or maybe just fancy enough.
You walk through the Sanctuary or Auditorium doors, and you see a friend and can’t wait to talk about what you did yesterday, or what Suzy did, or Jamie did, or your husband, or your wife, or the job, or the kids. And then the call to worship–a musical sound. You linger with your possee for just a moment, reluctant to go to your seat as the story you’re telling or listening to is so good or more important for just that moment. But here we go…It’s Time To Worship!
You listen to the music, “ooh chile, Sabrina sounds good today”, “ooo chile, Michael sounds off, guess he shouldn’t have stayed out so late…”, “ooo chile the choir sounds so good”, “ooo chile I felt a stirring in my soul, it was so good at church today! Couldn’t you feel the spirit!”
The Pastor comes to the podium to speak…you check your phone for a response to the text you sent Jamie this morning. Or you check the sales at the supermarket ’cause you gotta go shopping right after service”. Or maybe you just fall asleep, “I am so tired!”. You don’t tell anyone exactly what you were doing that made you so tired, but, “Man, I am tired!”
“Wow, that was a great service! Ooo chile, the holy spirit was moving today!” “I had a lovely time at Service today. It was so moving! Pastor was on point today!” “See you at brunch!” “Where are you going to eat, Suzy?” “I heard there’s this new place…” “Chile can’t wait to get out of these shoes!” “Did you see Marjarie’s dress? Now you know she knows better…” “Check out Michael! Ain’t he fine!” “Did you see James last night? Chile…”
What did the Pastor say? Was anyone transformed? Did anyone get The Message? Did anyone feel a stirring in their spirit, in their heart, to change their ways? Was anyone truly “saved”?
Maybe you cried a bit during a song. Or maybe a word, some word you heard for just a moment, touched your heart, but it didn’t hit you hard enough to reflect on your behavior, your ways, your inconsistencies. Didn’t move you to seek counseling. Didn’t move you to share your pain. Didn’t move you to help someone else you saw crying. “I’m sure they’ll be just fine.” “What’s wrong with Johnny? Now you know her, and those kids need help! Why doesn’t she…” “Can’t wait to get home!”
“Just one of those days!”
On Tuesday, the pastors, elders, deacons, and administrators meet. “How did we do?” “Well, pastor, tithes were low on Sunday. We didn’t meet our goal.” “We’re just not reaching them.” “Well, you know the economy is so bad.” “Maybe we should have a fundraiser?” “Well, if you didn’t try to go so deep. You know, some people said they were offended by the message.” “Some people say there aren’t enough Hymns being sung. Doesn’t seem the same anymore.” “Some people say the music is really good, but the service interferes with game time. Maybe we should change the hour of service.” “Some people say the message inspires them, but the Bible is just too hard. It doesn’t appeal to them or they just can’t make sense of it.” “Some people say they try to read, but there’s too much to get done.” “Some people say they are too tired after work and the kids. They don’t have time to read anything.” “Some people say Bible study is too much. They can’t come to all the meetings.” “Some people say there aren’t enough Bible study groups.” “Some people say it’s not personal.” “Some people say…”
Every week, the same thing. Every Month, the same thing. Every year, the same thing. Over and Over and Over again. Nothing changes. One or two are liberated or transformed.
“Come to the service every Sunday, inspired”. “Join the church, become a part of the culture”. “Join a group”. “Let’s get started!”
They are energized until…”We don’t do things that way.” “At this church we…” “We don’t do that here.” “Chile, you are on fire! But you know, we don’t do that here.” “Why don’t you join the choir? You have such a lovely voice!…we don’t sing that way here.” “Yes! Feel the Power of the Holy Spirit! What did you call it? Who’s that? We don’t do that here.” “You can lead a group, but make sure you don’t tell anyone how to change their lives. Don’t tell them what to do. We don’t do that here…”
“Chile, when you go to Pastor Blank’s church, they got the fire! The music is Amazing! You can feel the Holy Ghost move in that service! It’s a really big church! They got everything! Chile, we gotta go next week! I know it’s gonna be amazing!”
What are you really looking for? Do YOU know The One Who Came and Died FOR YOU? How are YOU going to find the only one Who Can Save You if The Ones He Saved Don’t Tell You about Him?
The Only One Who Can Save You Is The One We Know As Jesus Christ, Yeshua Adonai, YAHWEH–The Son of YAH (GOD). Get to know Him by walking with those who DO know Him! We take the insults, the name-calling, the back-biting, and ignore it all to a point. We stand on The Rock and don’t let gossip get under our skin. We are NOT part of The Crowd, and we aren’t in a hurry.
You can find US Everywhere–at work, living next door, in restaurants, in the park, drinking tea. Yes, Even In The Pews! We’re usually in the front of the church in a pew, dancing and singing, and worshipping, doing what YAHWEH has called US To DO–Love Him above All!
We understand the Bible because we’ve read it many times, we ask for understanding, and we live it every day. We live on purpose and want you to learn about YAHWEH intimately. We particularly love what Yeshua said when He told us, “I came that you might have life and that more abundantly”. “Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!”
‘Come and See, The LORD Is Good! Go into all the nations and make disciples. Tell them what you’ve learned from Me.’
GO!
