Reflections from your Pastor……
I consider it to be one of the greatest faults of being human; that we are prone to jealousy or envy of others success. For some reason, we see what others have and are suddenly discontent with what we already have. We ask questions to the air like “why don’t I have all this?” This trait is especially troublesome when Christians or church bodies are envious of other Christians or church bodies. We become envious because “they” have more people, or their music is better, or they have a new building or……It’s like we have totally forgotten Jesus call to be united in his name. We have neglected the no coveting commands, in part I think, because we feel we somehow deserve what they have. We have been faithful, why not us? Or we attempt to explain their success away by criticizing their theology or methods. We seek to pump up ourselves, our ways, our preferences and doctrines so that we can take some comfort in the fact that “at least we are worshipping God in the right way.” But just like the disciples, who upon encountering someone casting out demons in Jesus name, but who is not part of the inside circle, we have missed the point of unity in Christ and engaging God’s kingdom work. We have placed ego and rank ahead of God’s mission. Instead of criticizing the other bodies, we should be praying for their continued success. For if our mission is truly to share the good news in the hope that more people have a deepening relationship with Christ, then we are placing stumbling blocks with our jealousy. We are hindering rather than supporting the kingdom. Or are we so caught up in our own sense of orthodoxy that we believe that we have the corner on Jesus and truth? I had a professor at seminary who was very wise and one quote from him I’ll never forget; “We cannot say that we hold the truth about God, but we can say that we are held by the truth.” True confession; I too, have been jealous of these bodies of faith that are growing, expanding, reaching out further. My humanness has been getting the better of me lately. I too, have asked the question, why not us? But I’m continually drawn back to the words of a favorite hymn, “We all are one in mission, we all are one in call, so let us be united, by Christ, the Lord of all.” So, may God’s church grow. May God’s mission be our mission. May all who preach Jesus as Lord of all, savior of the world, bear fruit for the kingdom of God. To God be all the glory.