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Scripture for the day: Romans 14:17-18 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Thought for the day: I’ve been looking on the internet for the perfect church. I can’t tell you how many web-sites I’ve visited with no end in sight; still no perfect church. I found a church “on the way” and then I found another that seemed to be “in the way” (but I think that may be another subject for another day). I found a bunch of churches for those who don’t like church. I have to admit to a bit of head-scratching over that one. There are churches in the sun (and some in the Son). There are churches of “Open Doors” and others that seemed all too closed. I discovered churches where, for a “financial faith seed” of a mere $1,000, I could get what might amount to a written guarantee of who-knows how many thousands back so I can have whatever my little heart desires in the way of this earth’s pleasures. Why, there are even thousands of churches who will welcome you with open arms if you’re merely discontented or upset with the one you now attend. I found several where, with just a couple clicks of the mouse, you can enjoy all the sights and sounds of a real worship service right from the privacy (and horrible isolation) of your living room, kitchen, office or I-pod. Oh, the joy and freedom of knowing I can worship with a bunch of cyber-people and don’t even have to change out of my pajamas!
What an exciting (and often humorous) trip it can be to surf the Ecclesiastical Internet. And what an education it is to look at the various ways our churches present themselves to this generation. And despite the thousands upon thousands of opportunities out there to find perfection, what an incredible waste of time it is to honestly search for the perfect church.
One of the things I discovered in my search was this: every time I thought I might have found the perfect church, I’d click to another page and discover something about them with which I would disagree. Now that leaves only one of two choices; either they’re not perfect, or they wouldn’t let me in because I’m not. That reminds me of a poem I once read:
If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don't join that church;
You'd spoil the atmosphere.
If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it
You'd mar the masterpiece.
If you should find the perfect church
Then don't you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground;
You'd be a misfit there.
But since no perfect church exists
Made of imperfect men,
Then let's cease looking for that church
And love the church we're in.
Of course, it's not a perfect church,
That's simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn.
What fools we are to flee our post
In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.
So let's keep working in our church
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.
- Mavis Williams
Let’s try to remember this one thing as we make our way to our respective houses of worship this week (as imperfect as they may be); Jesus loved the church and gave himself up for her, so He could make her into “the Bride of Christ.” Should we do any less?
Now go take on your world. - Bill