Love the Things that Last Forever

So many people express that they have encountered disillusionment with the church in general. It is usually with some specific church, somewhere. It usually has to do with people. They were a part of things but they left, for whatever reasons they identify. Some work through their issues and find shelter and comfort elsewhere and that is good. Relocation can be a blessing from God. What saddens me is when people take the next step and not only reject God’s people but reject Jesus too. They get bent out of shape with people created in God’s image but flawed, and therefore conclude that God must be like that too. They throw the baby out with the bathwater. I want to say “People, what did you expect? Sinners sin and hurt and disappoint. Please deal with that reality and then reengage.” The fact that people are sinful is not an excuse to run away nor an excuse to lash out, just a statement of fact that we must grapple with.

Many churches and believers, out of compassion and love, have a desire to reach people who are in that state. Shouldn’t we all. Praise God. Others just do what they are called to do faithfully, year in, year out, hoping people will gravitate towards a healthy model of what it means to love Jesus and live in community with His people. We are called to be loving all the things that last forever: Jesus, the Book and people. Jesus never changes or let's you down. His Word never fails. Some people have been truly hurt and we are called to comfort the afflicted, bind up the broken, bring back the scattered and search for the lost. Will they see Jesus in us? I surely hope so. May we love all people, especially those who love Jesus (Gal. 6:10) so others will recognize those whom God has chosen (John 13:35). May we be infectious and contagious for Christ. May people catch what we have.