“We are all in the same boat, in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.” -G.K. Chesterton
If I could have abandoned this line of thinking over worship style (or any other number of stylistic/traditional/personal differences) at a particular church I was attending, I probably would have either never become a member anywhere, or wouldn’t go to church at all, anymore. If I jumped ship in regard to my marriage, because things weren’t working well with my shipmate, I would have missed out on so many blessings and my children would be lost. In both of these cases, sometimes it is all you can do to hang on at various points on the journey, nose to the grindstone, loving and humbly helping those around you to the best of your ability.
But what is important to remember (and to put your hope in) is that the One who has power and dominion over the wind and the waves never lets you, your shipmates, or the ship out of His sight. If we fix our eyes back into the loving gaze of Him who holds our hope and our salvation, all our fears fade away. So many times, we hold onto fear instead of fixing our gaze on Jesus. Holding onto or wielding fear never produced a genuine revival, let alone results. Holding onto preferences over perseverance, and traditions over truth, can be a form of false security and fear. Sometimes, we must compromise our preferences to keep peace. Sometimes, we must let go of traditions in order to grow.
I started working on this note a few weeks ago and I was praying about how to share my thoughts. This morning, a dear friend of mine (who happens to be a pastor) posted, “Bless and equip the next generation for what God is doing in their time, and you empower them to honor and receive what He did in yours.” It was poignant and relevant to my prayers and personal study on how God moves us.
This holds true in churches where pastors, worship styles, and traditions may be changing. ALL of those things are subject to change. The only thing not subject to change is God’s Word. Both of the above quotes pertain to marriages and families, as well as the people God has given to you to love. Remember, perfect love drives out fear. (See John 4.)
I’m 33. Some would say I have seen a lot in my time. Some would say I’m just a baby. Well, actually, I’m in between. But I have seen enough people jumping ship into disastrous waters, abandoning their families and/or the Church. I have seen so many egos get in the way, threats over money, and power struggles end relationships that had the potential to be brilliant, amazing, and incredible light in this dark world. Quite frankly, it breaks my heart. And I know it breaks God’s, when we choose our way over His command to love one another, and to love our neighbor.
It is so hard, I know, because God has given me some people to love that are quite difficult. And I know I am not always lovable, myself. See? Same boat. Stormy sea. That terrible loyalty…
But here’s the thing about that “terrible loyalty”: It is that terrible loyalty that brought Jesus to Earth, to live and love among us, feeling the weakness of our flesh, even though He is God. It is that terrible loyalty that made Him fight for our freedom from fear, judgement, and death. It is that terrible loyalty that made Him obedient unto death on the cross. In this broken world, that terrible loyalty is LOVE, and Jesus showed us how to LIVE it! We owe that same unconditional love to each other. (See John 15.) How about we focus on that terrible loyalty He demonstrated for us, instead of focusing on fear of changing winds and/or the future?
P.S. I ❤ the Book of John
Peace,
shelbylee
VisionOverVisibility 