Yes. I said it, please take it to heart.
I. Am. Sorry.
I am sorry that as believers in Christ we don't always express his love, grace, and mercy that Jesus tells us- noscratch that- commands us to live out.
And,
I am heartbroken. Because this thing has allowed evil to creep into minds telling us that Christ isn't real.....they are fake, they are just doing it for approval, to fit in, etc.
So this is for it all.
I am sorry...
that we judged you the moment you stepped foot in the door. We didn't see the war raging within yourself whether or not to show up here and God whispering to you, go. We should have gotten up and sat with you, even to just help you feel loved and accepted in the midst of all the ackwardness.
I am sorry...
that we listened to those telling us hanging out with you would rub off a bad influence. Instead we should have realized your heart is beautiful despite all the circumstances that are thrown at you in this world. It was that moment your heart needed Christ and a believer could have compassion and shared his grace with you.
I am sorry....
that you walked into church where believers told you that you didn't fit in because of your outward appearences. We should have welcomed you and remembered that God looks at out heart, not appearences. That he loves us unconditionally in ALL walks of life. Our opinions DO NOT matter to God, who are we to think so. He is HOLY.
I am sorry...
that you were only taught of rules and convictions and nothing about his compassion, love, mercy, and grace.
I am sorry...
that you are struggling with fears, anxiety, and emotions that you would like to share with your Sunday School class but you feel more judged by believers than nonbelievers. we must know this."So, then each of us will give an account to himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in their way." Romans 14:12-13.
I am sorry...
that is it obvious that you express your needs of struggles with feeding your family daily. But yet you sit among believers that only see their own needs. They would rather support their monthly hair highlights and nail tech than feed your childrens' bellies.
I am sorry...
that you watched and read about us as we stood firmly about political issues but you watched as we walked past the poor and widowed.
We are ALL a hot mess; believers and unbelievers.
Let us capture and put away those destructive thoughts and focus on what is true.
'Take that seedling of resentment and give it light.'
WE CAN BE A GENERATION THAT LIVES LIKE GOD IS REAL.
The great movement of God is not going to be doing great things and getting great stuff. It is seeing people on the knees, shedding our sins in exchange to be seen by God almighty as being pure.
It's going to be looking in the eyes of the poor and literally feeding them.
It's going to be sitting among believers, opening up about our fears while drinking a glass of wine and feeling loved and uplifted through his word.
It's going to be sitting in the back pew by the addict with all their feelings of ackwardness and showing they are loved and accepted.
It'll be walking into church and seeing the widowed, homeless, substance abusers, all walks of life praising God in worship with hands high to heavens.
and IT. Will. Be. Beautiful.
Believers we are only cracking the door open. Take off the hinges of sin and resentment. Leave it wide open. Let Christ use you, your good, your bad, your brokeness, the REAL you, to bring others to him. Christ died for us all.
'Love must me sincere. Hate what is evil;cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fevor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ' Romans 12:9-13
If we do not stand up.
If we fail to use our gifts.
If we fail to share our passion.
If we fail to face our fears.
If we do not show true compassion and mercy.
Our generation could be lost.
Let's be the generation that lives as God is REAL.
Let's be FREE and set others FREE.
Is there anyone that will show Christ as being REAL to them?
Let's live like we are the last generation in HIS story here. Because we may very well be.
