2 things happened today that assure me of the fate of the American church.
1. An ignorant email was sent via our church community of emailers that spoke of our ignorance and hate for people who are different than us. This certain email was nothing but an opinionated pile of garbage about muslims, Israel and those running for office. Things like "Obomination" and "he will hand us over to the muslims" were stated and this is what assures me of our certain impending doom as a community here in America. It scares me because anything that challenges what we believe or looks different than us or that doesn't wear what we wear is the devil in disguise. This is why I am certain that if Jesus came as man once more to earth, we would crucify Him within minutes. He didn't do what we thought He should do and fulfilled prophecies that were "dangerous". This makes us nervous so we start finding scripture that supports our ignorance. Or maybe we make it say something different. That scares me. When will we begin to look at the world like Jesus did and weep over our communities and long to take them in under our wings and more than that, have a deep compassion that would draw us into a relationship that is deeper than our concerns of homosexuality and politicians that are black? This is what scares me...
2. My beautiful sister called me today. (Damn this going to be hard.) I could hear the pain in her voice. It happened again. If you are a PK you will understand, if you are not, have some grace. My dad got yelled at for something he said. He didn't mean anything by it, just an innocent comment but for some reason he forgot to be perfect today. This certain lady has caused a lot of strife in my parents life and also in the life of their church. My sister asked me, "When is enough, enough?". Good question but no response. So when do you say something to these kinds of people? Maybe that's why it's so hard to follow Jesus. Maybe it's because He means what He says. To love our enemies and take the back row when our qualifications sit us at the front.
This is what scares me for the American church. Different people have no business being loved by us and the church is only a place to fight. I really don't know if I can do this anymore. This whole christian thing. I have doubts and the church tells me that's not ok. So what is ok? This is what scares me...
