Place: home
Poison: water and muesli
Favorite Things: early morning walks on the beach.
This morning our little max was wide awake and was unconvinced in his parents need for a little more sleep, so we all piled on our trainers and went for a long walk on the beach.
As we walked my husband and I prayed, we talked and we listened. In the midst of our communication we realized how much we miss the community of church.
We made a decision just before Max was born that we were fasting from the building of church for Lent and were leaning into the true meaning of community and finding out in this Lenten season what church truly means.
I have worked at ‘church’ for the last 12 years and it has at some points in my journey become my idol.
Just because I had been in the building, just because I had listened to the music, just because I sat on its pew, I assumed that deep fellowship had occurred.
This is so far from the reality of what true Christianity breeds in.
True christianity, a faith that is alive and vibrant is one that is imbued in the basics.
The basics that bring about the fruit of the spirit being ‘kindness and patience, joy, long suffering, peace…’
Unfortunately I can tell when church is more my idol than my community when these countenances of the spirit are far from present.
I miss my community, but I don’t miss the fake reality that convinces me I am living a life of worship just because I am surrounded by the people of God.
Lenten reading
And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matthew 25:35, 36 MSG)
These are the basics that Christ commands and sitting on the front row of church doesn’t predispose your everyday to the basics.
In some ways there is a pridefulness about the front row that almost makes you believe your excused from the basics.
However Christ is clear that the teachers amongst us will be judged more harshly.
Attending church doesn’t necessarily mean you have participated in community. Singing lovely words doesn’t necessarily mean that you have worshiped. Throwing your excess cash into the bucket doesn’t necessarily mean you have sacrificed. Saying hello to the little old ladies in the cafe doesn’t mean you have lived in deep community.
What are the basics this Lenten season that you are neglecting?
How ruffled are the pages of your bible?
How dry and sore is your throat from reaching out in praise?
How desperate are you prayers for the lost and unlovely?
When did you last sit in the gutter with the broken without casting judgement or condemnation?
What songs are on repeat on your iPod?
What scripture is tearing up your heart?
It’s the basics that measure and uncover the true intentions of our heart and mostly our worship…
Wearing a funky top and shouting amen doesn’t bring revelation, humility and grace, generosity and kindness, noticing others and living a life that is pungent does!!!
A
