Out of Place

As the title says, that's how I feel as a Christian in America. We technically have legal freedom to practice our religion. However, society tells us that we can't practice the parts that they don't like. We shouldn't make people uncomfortable by talking about Jesus. We shouldn't try to affect our legal system to include laws that other people don't agree with. We don't have the right to hold society to the same standards that we hold ourselves to.

And this is OUR fault. WE have caused the struggles that we face. The actions of past "Christians" has tarnished our reputation and given an unflattering connotation to our faith. Bible thumpers, condemning everyone to Hell rather than showing them the love of Christ and leading them to a relationship with him. Televangelists asking for money every week while living in lavish luxury. Supposed icons of our faith brought low by scandal. And it continues today. So called "churches" protesting military funerals. MegaChurch leadership embezzling and misusing funds.

And still, this is OUR fault. Why is it our fault? Because, we've bought into what our society tells us is true. That no one should be accountable for their actions. It's always the fault of someone else. And how dare you tell me that I'm wrong, it's not your place to judge me.

And in all of this, WE have failed. That's WE as Christians. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to admonish, teach, and edify each other. But we do none of these. Each of us sits in our own little God bubble where it's just Him and us. As long as we're right with God (in our own minds), we don't need church or fellowship or to reach out to others in kindness and love. This is all wrong. How can we be right with God when we ignore all that we are called to do? Yes, there are some people and even whole churches out there that get it right. But as The Church as a whole, we are failing miserably.

From August 4th-14th I was on a short term mission trip to Honduras with the high school youth group from my church. Many of you have never experienced a third world country. It's rough. Yet, the people we came in contact with had a vastly deeper understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ than any of us. People with nothing actively seeking ways to serve US. They showed us what it means to truly live in love and service to God. Everybody worked together to further His glory and purpose.

By their sacrifice and kindness, they changed us. Now we need to use what they taught us to be a blessing to others. We may not be able to change society, but if we can show one person what it means to be a true follower of Christ, then we will have done that much more to further His kingdom.