FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT: “We can’t have it Both Ways”
This post is not about blaming, pointing the finger, or stating that I have got it all together because of my value for relationships and others might not. My prayer is that this post will convict us as Christians to challenge ourselves to realize a program, acts of service, giving money, charitable acts, teaching, preaching, witnessing, work, groups, going to church, being a good Christian (whatever that is), and having a close walk with God will never replace the actual relationship with His people (saved and non) that He calls us to.
I am reminded of the cross. It is a symbol of the two-level relationship God calls us to. The vertical is our relationship with God while the horizontal is the relationship with others. Often we believe because we share intimacy and a relationship with God, it means that our relationship with people is fine too. In fact, it is just the opposite; our relationship and intimacy with people reflect our intimacy with God. His word even brings out the point (I’m using the Charlotte translation of the scripture) when stating how can we say we got it like that and have a deep and intimate relationship with God who we don’t see but can’t love and enter into a relationship with those we can see?
In other words, the indication of our relationship with Christ is reflected by our relationship with people. I can’t say MY relationship with God is tight but I can’t say hi to the person sitting beside me in church. I’m not talking about His relationship with us, salvation, or the passion, love, or belief in God (which all comes from Him) I’m referring to our relationship and the level of intimacy that we offer to Him. We simply cannot have it both ways; intimacy with God but have no holler for His people. Personally, I really don’t want to hear people tell me about how wonderful God is, writing notes in capital letters and preaching all over Facebook, the pulpit, or anywhere else unless they are backing up with relationships in their lives with others. I already know He’s wonderful but are we walking in the risky relationships with people that He is telling us to do? Talk is cheap, relationship costs something.
Yes, we should give to the poor and give through charity, acts of service, and certainly continue with programs and offerings to push us closer into the arms of the Lord. However, are we willing to enter a relationship with the same people we are talking to and serving? It’s great that we serve food at the food shelter, but at some point, are we putting down the ladle to sit with the people we are serving and be known.
I remember spending time with a buddy who used to be a prostitute and drug addict. She told me she would never darken the door of a church again simply because, “they want to save me, give me tracks, and preach about the love of Christ, but they are not willing to sit down with me for an hour to find out who I am.” Shame on us and God forgive us for our foolishness in not offering and forgetting the grace we were given. We reject Christ on a daily basis through our sins, selfishness, etc. yet He always takes the risk of His heart to remain in a relationship with us.
Finally, I encourage you as I encourage myself to push past what is safe. We cannot remain safe and comfortable and go with God. Let’ me say it in a more forceful way. We cannot be cowards and please God who requires us to live a life of risk and trust. We cannot continue to not speak to others, refuse to make time, cancel appointments due to fear, only hang with our group and cliques, only communicate via technology instead of picking up a phone or engaging in person, fear rejection, make excuses, not return emails, etc. and call ourselves Christians making an impact in people’s lives. God is going to always do what He does. But what about us?
You are a gift from God and have a wonderful purpose and plan ahead of you. Be Encouraged. You can do this.
Charlotte