This past weekend was filled with intense experiences, emotions and feelings—polar opposites in many cases. On the one hand, there’s the awkwardness and anger—on the other, the mercy and compassion. But the greatest of those is the love and support the Singleton’s felt from the body of Christ who are so gracious and forgiving.
It was difficult and humbling to share embarrassing and just plain stupid things from my life, as well as painful things that I so wish I’d handled better. During the past five weeks I’ve relived the nightmare over and over. I also felt a weight lifted as many of you did when questions were answered and the air was cleared. Isn’t it funny how confession and openness is supposed to be a regular part of fellowship in the body of Christ yet both are rarely if ever seen in most churches? It’s sad really. How can a church be authentic if everyone’s worried about keeping up a false image of perfection?
Look at what James said in chapter 5:13-16 (especially 16)
“13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
So why don’t we see more of this among believers?
The reason we exist is to make an IMPACT for Christ by marking the body, community, world, and future with His love. In fact, the very “mark” of a believer is Christ’s love living through them.
“They will know we are Christians by our love…”
So, the missing ingredients of Christ’s love and grace have been replaced by self interest and judgment.
And we wonder why the church in America is dying!
Well, like I said, this may have been a difficult weekend on the one hand, but it was refreshing and beautiful on the other. I got to see the body of Christ come together the way it’s supposed to. And I haven’t been this hopeful and fired up about the unstoppable force known as “The Church” in a long, long time.
Hey Impactors? You ready?! I hope so, because it looks like we’ve got a tiger by the tail!
Can’t wait!