Raw Life. Real Faith.

So we had a great family day yesterday... right up until the very late end. Having to step away from the chaos, I sat on the "colder-than-what-I-thought-it-was-outside" patio surfing the 'net and Craigslist. Meanwhile, I turned on the The Healing Rock radio station, where they were playing their Saturday night show, Vector.

I missed the first portion of the show, maybe the first half, I don't know... but the founder of the station network was interviewing a couple of people and they were discussing their difficulties with the church. Specifically, how it's hard sometimes to be genuine.

We all step in happy and ready to go to church, excited to worship. People ask how we are doing and have to respond with positive thoughts rather than the negative reality.

When truth be told... we'd rather not tell it. For who wants to hear the struggles and frustrations of life on the day we come together to celebrate Christ?

"No, I'm not having a great morning... my kids fought us on getting ready for church!"
"My blood pressure is up just thinking about whether we'll have an argument on the way!"

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy jokes, about how by the time he gets to church, he NEEDS church, cause he's done yelled at everybody on the way there!

(I shouldn't insert my own reality of what just happened 10 seconds ago.... but that was funny. Even if I'm the only one laughing. Only the sovereign timing of God could make the smile on my face exist right now.... as I just realized that same radio station is currently playing Perfect Timing by Sweet Comfort Band)

But seriously... it's just as hard not to be dismissive in our short, passing responses to people as much as their honest brevity in passing, "no, I'm not really doing that great this morning".

We don't want to feel as though we have to put up a front, but church morning's are busy and there's a schedule and a format. Who has time to take out 5 or 10 minutes to sit in the lobby or the cafe and say, this circumstance and frustration is immediate and raw and I need help in dealing with it?

Yes, I'll give it to God and respond to the altar and go up for prayer... or maybe I won't, even though I need to; but man... if someone could help talk me through this, wow.

Efficiency is often equated with speed and quickness, but we often forget that getting something done in 30 minutes that normally takes an hour is also efficient. And while effectiveness can occur in a short matter of seconds, more often than not, effectiveness comes from a habit of pattern and an investment of time.

Caring takes time. Effective care takes discernment to know when the time should be short and when it's appropriate for a longer investment.

We all have battles and struggles. Whether it's because we don't speak for we know other people have bigger and more challenging lives, thus we pale in comparison or we think others are too busy, that they'd rather not be bothered by our interruption... both are wrong. Life is not a competition of who's life is harder or worse off; nor should we not converse because someone seemingly has it altogether and so we recluse.

We are all in God's garage. We are all being restored. If any comparison is made, it's that those further along in the restoration process are able to testify; if God brought me this far from when I came in, how amazing is what awaits on the other side of the process for your life.

*longer blog = shorter prayer?

Can we pray this #effectiveSunday, for the body of Christ to be real people. Real struggles. Real faith. Real friends. Coming together to a Real God. May we take the time to express genuine care and concern. Pray we would be the hands and feet of Christ to those around us; helping people through the process and journey God is taking them. May we testify to those who come behind us to the goodness and greatness of God. For even when the road is hard, God is with us. May the church exist to be an ever-present reminder of the truth... God will never leave us, nor forsake us.

Effective for the kingdom of God.
Because we make the investment of time.
Speaking life to dead and dying places.
That Christ may bring healing and restoration
To our broken condition.
For the glory of God.

- PNC

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