Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
Member: Lord, have mercy!
Jesus: But you left my body, quit the church.
Member: But, Lord, you know what they did….
Jesus: Yes, and I will deal with them in their time, but you left me, abandoned me.
Member: but, but….
Jesus: I know: They were judgmental when they should have been helpful; They stepped on your fingers when you were trying to claw your way back; When you needed a helping hand, they slapped you down for the shortcomings you were trying to ask for help to deal with, but YOU left me, quit on ME.
Member: but, they built walls when I needed bridges, and I did not want to be part of them.
Jesus: But, I was asking that you be part of me, not part of them. You know, I never allowed any temptation too great for you; I had the belief in you that you would overcome and be there, in my body, for the next one who was reaching. That you would be the compassionate hand helping instead of criticizing, that the lessons of your own hurt would teach you how. YOU abandoned MY body to those who hurt you and left them to hurt others and were not a balm for those others. Every one lost was like a crucifixion nail in my body and you were the hammer.
Member: Please, Lord…
Jesus: And who knows that your example might have saved some of the “them” that hurt you. But, you let YOUR hurt, your emotions, your feelings dominate your connection to me and your concern for others. You were all about yourself. It seems that you never knew me or what I was about, So…..
This was written for those who quit going to church. But, it could well apply to many who attend.
That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor 12:25-27).
Keith Ward
Member: Lord, have mercy!
Jesus: But you left my body, quit the church.
Member: But, Lord, you know what they did….
Jesus: Yes, and I will deal with them in their time, but you left me, abandoned me.
Member: but, but….
Jesus: I know: They were judgmental when they should have been helpful; They stepped on your fingers when you were trying to claw your way back; When you needed a helping hand, they slapped you down for the shortcomings you were trying to ask for help to deal with, but YOU left me, quit on ME.
Member: but, they built walls when I needed bridges, and I did not want to be part of them.
Jesus: But, I was asking that you be part of me, not part of them. You know, I never allowed any temptation too great for you; I had the belief in you that you would overcome and be there, in my body, for the next one who was reaching. That you would be the compassionate hand helping instead of criticizing, that the lessons of your own hurt would teach you how. YOU abandoned MY body to those who hurt you and left them to hurt others and were not a balm for those others. Every one lost was like a crucifixion nail in my body and you were the hammer.
Member: Please, Lord…
Jesus: And who knows that your example might have saved some of the “them” that hurt you. But, you let YOUR hurt, your emotions, your feelings dominate your connection to me and your concern for others. You were all about yourself. It seems that you never knew me or what I was about, So…..
This was written for those who quit going to church. But, it could well apply to many who attend.
That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor 12:25-27).
Keith Ward
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