Have you ever felt like there was something missing at church, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on it? Like Neo in The Matrix, has something seemed off, but you’ve been afraid to question it? Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations, and we can never seem to unify over anything? Or how it seems like those in church are many times meaner and nastier than those on the outside? Or perhaps you’ve never felt real connection when you go?
You’re not alone.
Would it surprise you there is a growing number of people that feel the same way? Maybe what you’re feeling isn’t the enemy like you may have been told, but perhaps we are being divinely brought out of a system of control that we never realized was there in the first place.
What if we have missed the point of what Jesus came to teach us? Did he come to add more traditions? Who was he the angriest with? Did they have the most rituals? Did they memorize the most scripture? Did Jesus rebuke them for worshipping the scriptures, basically equating them with God? Did they have the most education? What kind of requirements did they put on people? Did they focus on who was “in” and who was “out”?
Sound familiar?
What did Jesus say fulfilled the entire law? Was it the command to love one another? How have we lost sight of something so important?
Have doctrines and theological stances gotten in the way of love? Did Jesus say they will know us by our correct end times beliefs?
What if the answer was much simpler than that? What if when Jesus said we were to love our neighbor…what if he really meant it? What if the key to all of this was the Golden Rule? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?
This is not a message to bash our churches, home groups, or bible studies. This is not to condemn our denominations, our theology, or seminary degrees. Those things are all fine, but should they be getting in the way of us loving one another?
What if we all took some time this week to think about our spheres of influence. Are there any needs that we can fill? Are there any distress calls that we could pick up on, where we could be the one to respond? Are there any friends who could use an encouraging word? Or a family member who could use some groceries but are financially hurting? Are there any areas in our lives we could simplify to better hear the voice of the Holy Spirit?
What if we thought about ways that we could be the church, instead of just being a part of a church? What if we actively sought after ways to meet needs in our surrounding community? What if we were empowered by the realization that our Father takes care of us, and we have no lack? What if we really believed that if we sought first the Kingdom, that our needs would be added unto us? Would that help us to be unrestrained in our giving? In our loving? In our encouragement? Do you see the importance of abiding in the Father’s love and unconditional acceptance of you? If we fully realize that we are undeserving of the Father’s love and mercy, would that help us to love others who are not deserving? Enemies even? What if love wasn’t just a way, but THE ONLY way?
What if the only way the world will know Jesus is by loving them without any expectation of anything in return? Did not God say he is Love? If God is Love, is love God? If we show people this love through our actions, are we introducing them to God?
What kind of impact would that make? What if we aren’t as insignificant as we once thought? What if even one tiny act of love and kindness was more powerful in the spiritual realm than we ever realized?
Welcome to The Way.
Peaceful Streams 
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