God's Church

I know why many of you reading this blog are opposed to church. Yep, I can totally relate to why you wouldn't step foot in a church even if you were told they were giving away free money. It can be a horrible place. Church can be a place where people are hurt, abused, taken advantage of, and grace is given like a band aid instead of the truth it really is. I admit there are days I wake up and ask myself why I even bother. Why do I subject myself to a sense of falsehood and foe relationships that only last for 2 hours on a Sunday? But, the truth is that Church is God's plan for us. He didn't intend that we stay by ourselves in this world. The fact is that the world is messed up and so is the Church. Now, its no excuse for the behavior. And, really, most churches need to get a grip on reality. Yet, there is something we can all learn from going to Church. It's almost like God knows its going to be rough and he plans on it that way. When we humble ourselves and subject ourselves to people that are surely the most annoying we have ever met, and try and see the good, we are changed. When we go to grab a cup of coffee and find out that one single guy has been drinking it all and there is none left for us, we are changed. When we hear the stories of broken lives that have led people to find comfort in the Church, we are changed. When we sing a song about God's faithfulness, when we have just lost everything dear to us, we are changed. The Church is place where God challenges us. Do we really believe that he loves us and everyone else in this world? Do we really believe that his love can change this world?

Church can be discouraging. It can be a place where many times you want to throw up your hands and say, enough is enough. It is full of liars, manipulators, haters, and sinners. But, the difference of our Church and the dirty world, is that God says that those titles no longer apply to those he has welcomed in His building. He wipes away their old identity and gives it a clean bill of health. The challenge you are up for when you come to church is believing that that is actually true! Truth is, Church isn't about the people in it at all, its really a test of how much faith in the grace of God you actually have!

So next time you enter a Church, hopefully the same one I enter, think about the shear fact that God sees people different than you do. That single guy, who steals all the coffee, he really is a treasured possession of God that God intends to build into a strong man that loves his wife and children and actively teaches them about God. And, the most annoying person in the room, is most likely the best opportunity for you to learn how to love like God does.

There is a disclaimer to this post, however. It is by no means acceptable for Christian people to abuse others. Therefore, if you attend a Church and are being pushed around, that is not right, and God doesn't stand for it. God is clear that he wants no messing around in his temple. He tosses tables for things like that. If you feel like Church is a place you have been mistreated, and taken advantage of, that is not what God intends. And for that, I apologize for all those silly Christians who thought they were treating you the way God wants you to be treated. That my friend is a lie, and you need to find a new Church!

Understand this, if you go to Church, you will have problems. Its no different than your workplace. But, the best part of going to Church is that God never leaves you the same on your way out. Believe that He is a good God. People are not. That is why he suffered on a cross. He didn't give himself a shot to go to sleep, or take poison for the easy man's way out. Nope. Our God suffocated on a cross for well over 3 hours to prove to you that he loves you. The least we could do for him is learn to love his Church the way he intended.