Less than Perfect Life

It is early morning as I write this blog. Something is weighing heavily on my mind and I need to share it. Oftentimes we write blogs to encourage each other and to strengthen our beliefs. We write to show the world how awesome, wonderful and caring our God is – and He is all those things. Yet, our efforts tend to generate pictures of a God who is uncaring and partial to those who are able to live a certain lifestyle. Intentionally or unintentionally we are still painting pictures of a God who is oblivious to those who struggle through life. So, this morning, I write as Paul instructs Timothy to speak, "Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2).

 

The faith community as a whole has spent far too many years hiding behind the four walls of the church building attempting to live for God by keeping the bad out. Our motto became, "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil, so we can do no evil." Yet, that very mindset is in disobedience to the words of Jesus to go out into the world to preach the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28 and Mark 16). We have become comfortable with our lifestyle within our four church walls, so comfortable, in fact, that we won't even allow Christ followers to enter our abode if for whatever reason they are unable to live the joyous, overcoming, victorious life we have set as the standard for 'true' disciples. Many of us have never overcome anything in life. We have never gained victory over any situation; we are simply joyous that we are not in the same condition as those people. We have God's blessing, unlike those who are suffering and live in mental, physical and sometimes spiritual pain. Does that sound familiar? Check out the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14.

 

We live in a world where life is not always fair. Bad things happen to good people and life isn't always blessed and wonderful. Does that mean I have somehow lost God's favor? Of course not! Paul's life after his encounter with Jesus was all about getting the news of Jesus to the world. Paul was an obedient, faithful, follower of Jesus Christ; however, Paul still faced his struggles in life. He had to deal with his thorn in the flesh issue (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi, "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little" (Philippians 4:12). Notice Paul doesn't say God always gives me enough so I never do without. No, he says I have learned to do without, he knew what it was to be hungry!

 

Pain, suffering, hunger, sadness and depression are facts of life for many in our world today. The faith community cannot continue to hide their heads in the sand and push the suffering aside simply because we do not want to deal with it. In the process of pushing aside pain, suffering, depression, etc. we are pushing aside our own brothers and sisters in the Lord. Yes, people of faith suffer and it's not always because of sin. Jesus told his disciples, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus is not saying He will take away all the pain and the suffering. He said it would happen! However, He has overcome the world and Heaven awaits those who persevere through all these trials and sorrows.

 

We in the faith community must wake up to the fact that life isn't always perfect. Suffering, pain, sorrow are a part of life on earth. We cannot continue to push aside those living less than perfect lives, simply because it makes us uncomfortable. We cannot continue to simply say we are praying for them and then walk away from the hurting. We must learn to walk along side the suffering, the hungry, the hurting, the depressed, doing what we can to alleviate their pain and sorrow. It's time for the faith community to come out of the four walls we call church and get into the trenches. Yes, we will get our hands dirty. Yes, we will feel the pain of others. We will also be painting a true picture of a loving, caring God who desires to love and care for all humanity.

 

May we as a faith community diligently strive to follow the advice Paul gave Timothy, "Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you" (2 Timothy 4:5). Only as we strive to follow this advice can we say with Paul at the end of our life, "As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return…" (4:6-8).