Before I begin, let me clarify, I AM a Christian and unfortunately, I have been guilty of this terrible phenomenon in the Church.
We have all heard them, you know the cliché phrases that Christians like to say when they are too busy to stop and care, the topic is just too hard, or your issue is beyond their understanding.
Today, however, I am sick of them.
I am tired of being in a real struggle only to hear; "keep the faith, I'll pray for you, quote the Word, pray, just give it to God, Trust in the Lord, God loves you, God has a plan, yada yada yada.
" Do not get me wrong, sure, they are all true and for the most part there is nothing "wrong" with saying them to people.
However, I really believe that we have lost something along the way in Christendom.
If you look at the life of Jesus and how He dealt with each situation, it was always unique.
He did not have the same old Word for every sermon.
He had something fresh and relevant for whatever person or group He was speaking to.
Sadly, today, we really don't care.
Let's be honest here.
We just don't care.
Sure, we have sympathy, empathy and feel compassion at times.
However, we really do not want to get too close to other peoples junk.
Maybe we think we will "catch" something.
Who knows? Do we even pay attention to this passage of Scripture? Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].
For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another's load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.
- Galatians 6:2-3 (Amplified) Instead of walking WITH our brothers and sisters through trials and troubles, we put on our superficial super spiritual hats, and throw out some mumbo jumbo bull crap Christian cliché.
We would rather worry about our own family issues and junk than care about another who is hurting.
We would rather just smile at the smelly homeless man standing on the corner then maybe take a few minutes out of our day to buy the man a sandwich.
We would rather be thankful we are not going through the same trial as so and so, then dig in and walk the road with them.
We would rather gossip about others then look in the mirror.
We would rather judge the woman who comes to church with cleavage than embrace her and possibly even disciple her.
It's just plain selfish if you ask me.
And, I am thoroughly sick of it.
When people are in a full blown battle, unknowingly in sin or are simply struggling, they need some brothers and sisters who will walk WITH them THROUGH the battle field.
NOT stand off on the sidelines and pray for them while they keep enough distance to not risk becoming "too involved.
" It's like we stand there on the boat, watching them drown and have a life preserver in our hand, but instead of throwing them a life line or jumping in to save them, we stand there apathetically and tell them "it will be OK, help is on the way.
" I mean really, have we forgotten what the Church is supposed to look like? If you need a refresher course, read the book of Acts.
We are a Body.
Our brothers and sisters in Christ are to be at the top of our list...
even more so than relatives.
Yep.
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good to all people not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage.
Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].
- Galatians 6:9-10 (Amplified) Hmm...
We need to be more attached to people.
We need to do more than throw out a cliché so we can feel good about ourselves.
Speaking from personal and recent experiences, when I am in the muck, I need a friend.
I need to be able to vent and maybe even be stupid in my venting.
I also do not always need to hear a Scripture.
Sometimes an ear is what I need.
Maybe if we listened more, we would understand more.
Christianity is MUCH more than some ticket to Heaven at the end of our days.
It is a lifestyle of love and mercy...
at least that is what I read in my Bible.
If we listened more.
If we opened our eyes more, we might just see what people really need.
A meal perhaps...
just to let them know you care.
A card.
A phone call.
A lunch date with no agenda but to listen to them and maybe pray TOGETHER instead of just saying you will.
We need to stop putting people ON prayer lists and pray WITH them.
Telling me you are going to pray for me does not make me feel cared about.
Stopping for a minute and actually doing it does.
If we put ACTION into our Christian walk...
maybe just maybe we will look more inviting to a lost world instead of like a big religious self righteous joke.