"Do what your heart can handle."
Haha random quote from a friend. But I think it's deep. It's also hard because how much can my heart handle? I wish I knew...
Do you believe that people not blood related can be family? I do. Do you believe even if they are the opposite gender? Yes? I hesitate with that, but I do believe it's possible. But I guess that's a point people disagree with. Because I don't believe in having friends of the opposite gender that are best friends. And yet... I'm sure not the only one that believes that people not blood related, regardless of gender can become family. So what's the line? Interesting, ain't it? Unless of course you don't think it's possible out of the conditions of adoption or something. So maybe this question is just interesting for me and not you then. There are people I feel closer to than my actual blood relatives, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who thinks that. Does blood even mean anything? I mean ideally, aren't we all part of the family of Christ?
I listened to a sermon (more like a hodgepodge of different things) that Francis Chan gave. He talks about how an ex-gang member joined the church (everyone loves those stories don't they?) but there was an issue, he thought the church would have his back like the gang would. That they would be with him through think and thin, but they weren't/he most certainly didn't feel that way. So he left.
Francis goes further and mentions how he was talking to his elders one day, and they were like man if you died I would take care of your family. That's no joke either, they meant it. And they were like we all got each other essentially, so they cancelled their life insurance because they knew their brothers/sisters would step in and help.
And then in part of he talks about church is not about some building or location, it's the people. Duh right? Yet... based on those two cases he mentioned it's not a duh thing. It's a something is gravely off thing. How many people have gone to churches where instead of feeling like family they felt like an outsider? I have. I went to several churches randomly when I was young before I became a Christian and never felt welcome. Finally through God's grace I found one. Ideally though... we would act like a family brothers and sisters.
But sometimes when I see fellowships and churches that are standoff-ish, it's sad. And I believe lack of effort or apathy here is the same as saying you don't really care about them.
It's just sad. Cause... I contribute to the terrible tainting and twisting of church. Good thing there is grace. That was said tongue in cheek partially, but in all reality. Good thing there is grace.
Actually I remember another story he mentioned. A younger man gave an older man his kidney. Didn't know him. Just met him cause he volunteered to drive him to get his dialysis done.
These are images of church. Not that building. Not that praise team. Not that preacher. Not that ministry. We are the body, we are the church. I think it's time we own up to it.
God give me and us the strength to love. To give. To suffer with joy. Give Your church the ability to express Jesus. Let Jesus not only be our Savior but who we strive to emulate.
Another thing I still haven't forgotten another thing that Francis said. We often love Jesus as our Savior, but we don't really want to be like him.
Why so much Francis? Cause I need a break from super theological or philosophical to where you can just see pure joy, not perfect, but striving. I also need a break from reading dense banking stuff that I only half understand. Haha. But seriously... let's stop twisting church into our ideals, and let it be the community that we lay our lives for. Not just for our friends. But for that stranger. Keep me accountable.
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