This Is What's Important
Allow me to get some things off my chest. Don't worry, this won't take long... Well, maybe it will, but I promise I won't ramble... Well... Nevermind.
In all my sadness, seeking, ranting and raving about the sad state of the institutional American church, I have been forced to recognize some things. I feel very strongly that this crystallization has not come about by my own effort. There are too many coincidences colluding. This is something that was never within a tiny modicum of my control; even in the dark and shaky places; even in the places wobbly and strange.
What has pushed me to vent this realization? (Other than my innate urge to emote all over someone when I'm worked up.) I trotted on over to T's house at worship naked and perused some things. Suddenly, it was all in focus.
And now... there are a few things I would like to say to the bloated, arrogant, complicated, institutionalized, communist church:
*WordGirl stepping up on to her soapbox and getting really -- REALLY -- choked up*
THIS IS WHAT MATTERS.
It's not about the f***ing money.
It's not about your f***ing programs.
It's not about how big a building we can build or how many butts we can get in seats every Sunday.
It's not about the damned parking lot or how many bake sales and raffles we have.
Because WE ARE NOT WARRIORS FOR CHRIST.
We are complacent, spoiled rotten children who are so self-focused we can't see how apostate we are.
We are lazy fat slobs who worry about F***ING FUNDRAISING EFFORTS for aerobics classes in our newly constructed gym, NOT whether someone is going to burn it down.
Our children live in safety and we worry about their college educations, NOT if they are going to be gang raped by tribal thugs.
We worry about a second car.
A summer vacation.
NOT whether we will live to see the sun.
And barrels and barrels of food are rotting in our church hallways because it makes us feel better to see the collection bins full.
How much money does it takes to feed the Burmese Karen?
How many have lost babies, husbands, wives, and homes?
How many still live with joy and peace knowing their Savior and depending on their Faith in the face of basic survival?
And you want to lay a guilt trip on me for not giving more to your precious building fund?
May God have mercy on your soul.
In all my sadness, seeking, ranting and raving about the sad state of the institutional American church, I have been forced to recognize some things. I feel very strongly that this crystallization has not come about by my own effort. There are too many coincidences colluding. This is something that was never within a tiny modicum of my control; even in the dark and shaky places; even in the places wobbly and strange.
What has pushed me to vent this realization? (Other than my innate urge to emote all over someone when I'm worked up.) I trotted on over to T's house at worship naked and perused some things. Suddenly, it was all in focus.
And now... there are a few things I would like to say to the bloated, arrogant, complicated, institutionalized, communist church:
*WordGirl stepping up on to her soapbox and getting really -- REALLY -- choked up*
THIS IS WHAT MATTERS.
It's not about the f***ing money.
It's not about your f***ing programs.
It's not about how big a building we can build or how many butts we can get in seats every Sunday.
It's not about the damned parking lot or how many bake sales and raffles we have.
Because WE ARE NOT WARRIORS FOR CHRIST.
We are complacent, spoiled rotten children who are so self-focused we can't see how apostate we are.
We are lazy fat slobs who worry about F***ING FUNDRAISING EFFORTS for aerobics classes in our newly constructed gym, NOT whether someone is going to burn it down.
Our children live in safety and we worry about their college educations, NOT if they are going to be gang raped by tribal thugs.
We worry about a second car.
A summer vacation.
NOT whether we will live to see the sun.
And barrels and barrels of food are rotting in our church hallways because it makes us feel better to see the collection bins full.
How much money does it takes to feed the Burmese Karen?
How many have lost babies, husbands, wives, and homes?
How many still live with joy and peace knowing their Savior and depending on their Faith in the face of basic survival?
And you want to lay a guilt trip on me for not giving more to your precious building fund?
May God have mercy on your soul.
Thank God we are so blessed. Thank God our children are safe, well educated, fed and clean. Get on your knees and thank Him that you didn't have to look down the barrel of a gun this morning. Thank Him that you have a building to meet in, handouts to Xerox, and Bibles to read. Thank Him for the Karen of Burma. Thank Him for the martyrs, the teachers, the persecuted and the scarred. They made your building possible. Not the financial consultants on committee. Not the Power Point presentations. Not the flyers, emails, videos, or commitment forms.
Help them. Only then can you help yourselves.
3 Comments:
WordGrrrrl: Amen and Amen! You're on fire and I love it. Thanks.
You know what's interesting? Our translator in Thailand told me that Christians from that part of the world are starting to send missionaries to *us,* to our "bloated, arrogant, complicated, institutionalized, communist church."
And the truth is, we need what *they* have.
When I saw my nameI figured I'd done something wrong. That's a Catholic reaction, but it gives to great study of the conscience. Then I went to T's site, and I feel like absolue s88t.(In proofreading I see my error and don't care). I just feel so badly about inhumanity. Let's all bi88h about the suffering of more freakin' whales now, 'k? I can't think right now about it, I guess I need to find out how to help. I still don't get the Communist church references because we are finally putting in new windows in our Parish hall. In VT, it's pretty necessary. I suppose everywhere it is, but... I gotta go think about my Karen brothers and sisters.
Thanks, y'all. I'm sorry if it seems like I had a kicking-and-screaming temper-tantrum online. *exhale* I felt really good about this post and then I let a little time pass and wondered if I'd been too harsh -- if maybe I should have toned it down a little. (You know, taken out some of the "***"'s...) But I think that's akin to selling the lie that "Christians" don't cuss or yell or have emotional breakdowns. (Jesus and the moneychangers anyone?)
I didn't write this post in a fit of hate or petty rage -- I wrote it in extreme despair and sadness for the church -- who are just so many blind and deaf prophets. So... I put my heart out there on this one and you cheered me on. That's very, very encouraging.
Thanks a million times,
WG
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