Delusions of Simplicity
"I must increase, you must decrease."
Jesus? Is that You? I can't see You through this fog... Why are You wearing a staff administration pin?
"I will destroy the Temple and in three days, restore it."
Okay... I'll go get my checkbook. *Sigh* Didn't we just restore the Temple? I guess I can take out another loan...
"Come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest. For I am gentle and lowly. My burden is easy and my yoke is light."
What time does that start? Okay, then. I'll have to come straight from work. I know serving at this location is more important than my private ministry. I know, I know -- the care I give to my family and friends doesn't count. And neither do the contributions I give to other Christian organizations. I know, I know -- the ministry I have outside this place can't be tallied on the bulletin board at the end of the year. I'm filling out my financial comittment form tonight. Right, I know. You need to know in advance so you can allocate funds.
*smirk*
Matthew 20:14-16
14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
John 6:27-30:
27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
Jesus? Is that You? I can't see You through this fog... Why are You wearing a staff administration pin?
"I will destroy the Temple and in three days, restore it."
Okay... I'll go get my checkbook. *Sigh* Didn't we just restore the Temple? I guess I can take out another loan...
"Come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest. For I am gentle and lowly. My burden is easy and my yoke is light."
What time does that start? Okay, then. I'll have to come straight from work. I know serving at this location is more important than my private ministry. I know, I know -- the care I give to my family and friends doesn't count. And neither do the contributions I give to other Christian organizations. I know, I know -- the ministry I have outside this place can't be tallied on the bulletin board at the end of the year. I'm filling out my financial comittment form tonight. Right, I know. You need to know in advance so you can allocate funds.
*smirk*
Matthew 20:14-16
14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
John 6:27-30:
27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
5 Comments:
It's not my business,but... you seem so unhappy. It's like this church of your's is going against the grain of your soul. I have been the most fortunate in never having experienced the pain of knowing that you have to serve the Lord, you HAVE to because it's a calling or a necessity... Water for your thirst. Yet, you aren't getting it. You still thirst. What are you going to do, WordGirl? I don't see you as the type to keep giving this bunch $$$$ that they say is the currency to Heaven. I'm sorry you are so frustrated in your church. Maybe you should seek out a church that puts God first and foremost. Poor in $$$$, rich in Spirit? I think you deserve that peace.
Thanks, Karen, that's very sweet of you. I appreciate that.
I don't know where we're going to go. The sense I'm getting at this point is that this church is a transitional church for us. The real "home church" we need and long for is out there -- this one is just not it. I'm not giving up. I'm just a little sad, that's all. I want to throw my arms around these people and love them, but not if I am going to be met with such an institutional mindset.
In the meantime, this situation has opened up avenues of discussion for myself and my circle of friends, family, and readers. What I sometimes fail to realize is that this little page IS a ministry of sorts. That it does count on the "bulletin board."
The church is not a place. It is an active, growing, living body that breathes, eats, and bleeds. It needs taking care of. Christ thought so. That's why He died for it. Why He called it His Bride. It is not a perfect Body, but one worth healing, nontheless.
Perhaps this is God's way of forcing me out into "real world" ministry. Perhaps He wants me out in the sunlight, seeking and going beyond the boundaries of a mere building to serve. Maybe I'll find my church there.
It makes me feel like an undercover renegade (which I confess is almost cool) but... God knows what He's doing. No worries.
I just hope I do. ; )
WG
You know exactly what you have to do. It's finding the *stones* as Teflon says, to take the leap of faith. I didn't quite finish a thought up there on the previous post when I said I haven't experienced the pain... I meant of not belonging. I've always belonged to my little church and felt at home most when there. I've never faced the pain of knowing that there was more I could accomplish, but where? I've never been afraid of the *Institution* of the Catholic Church like a lot of other people have. It's not a dirty word to me. It's my home away from Home, you know? It protects me and I can't imagine it making me feel like I'll burn if I don't cross it's collection plate with the appropriate amount of silver. I had wanted to comment on it before in your last post, but I'm not very worldly and so didn't feel it my place. Then, you brought it up again... The Holy Spirit is leading you, don't resist Him. We walk by Faith and not by sight. I wish I knew where that was in the Bible. I know it is there, though. No worries, like the sparrows. Take care :)
: ) Thanks!
WG
2 Corinthians 5:7 :)
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