Kika and I took the train. We entered the coupe with already two people in it. Nice lady in her 50s and a young enthusiastic man were in the middle of discussion about life, society and faith. So, we joined them. All of us were believers and yet our faith was somehow different. The whole time sentence "I believe in God but not in church" was there with us. We didn't manage to get to some conclusion.
I have been thinking about it lately.
What does one actually think/understand behind the 'church' word?
A group of hypocrites, Sunday worship service, cold building with unfriendly priest, or 1500 different denominations?
Is it even possible to believe in God and ignore the church? Many say that it is a human invention but according to my understanding of Bible, it is God who invented it.
I would expect that once I believe in Him, it would be easy. But instead of getting me into the heavenly realms, he set me in the group of people who drive me nuts. On Sunday I go to church together with other cca 200 people. I wouldn't probably choose 2/3 of them to be my friends /simply I prefer different types of people/ and yet I call them "brothers and sisters".
God has a good sense of humor! Church as a body. Christ is its head and we are the parts. It means if I am a leg, I won't ever be able of the smash hit. I need an arm for that. This is just a picture of how we need each other.
Spirituality today is quite desired but only as a very personal and highly private matter.
Me being accountable to someone else? Why? Especially when they are not better than me!
Oh yeah!
They are not. And that's the thing! We are like a bunch of broken human stories that can somehow make something beautiful and eternal - but only if we sumbit/humble ourselves and allow the Head to lead us. The Head is the Savior of the whole body. It is all about HIM.
For me the church is like a support group...just like when you go to AA meeting. It helps you in your daily struggle with you addiction. You are surrounded by people who simply know. I also have people in my life who know my battles and vice versa. We bless and pray for each other. In this way we express that we care about the other person and we wish him/her the best. We walk the same path.
I am not denying. There are horrible things going on. And I'm not necessarily talking about pedophilia. It's enough when one part of the body starts pursuing its own agenda. When someone's position is more important than wellbeing of the whole body / in other words when a leg thinks is the head/.
If we feel terrible about it ... what about God then?
Do I feel disappointed? Often! But how many times have I disappointed others?
Do I feel sick and tired? Sometimes. Does it mean that I should heave anchor? I don't think so.
If you are a team worker, you know that unity is crucial. To keep the unity means to fight for it /make every effort/ but this fight is worth it.
I cannot help myself but I see God's wisdom in this church thingy. The church is not perfect /well, I'm its member!/ and yet it is perfect! It keeps me down to earth and at the same time offers the perspective of eternity.
I am not denying. There are horrible things going on. And I'm not necessarily talking about pedophilia. It's enough when one part of the body starts pursuing its own agenda. When someone's position is more important than wellbeing of the whole body / in other words when a leg thinks is the head/.
If we feel terrible about it ... what about God then?
Do I feel disappointed? Often! But how many times have I disappointed others?
Do I feel sick and tired? Sometimes. Does it mean that I should heave anchor? I don't think so.
If you are a team worker, you know that unity is crucial. To keep the unity means to fight for it /make every effort/ but this fight is worth it.
I cannot help myself but I see God's wisdom in this church thingy. The church is not perfect /well, I'm its member!/ and yet it is perfect! It keeps me down to earth and at the same time offers the perspective of eternity.
And in the end I'm not sure if all of this is about "the church" or rather about the fact if I
- admit existence of the One who has created it
- acknowledge my pride /because I think I would manage it much better and I do not need God with his church/
- admit existence of the One who has created it
- acknowledge my pride /because I think I would manage it much better and I do not need God with his church/
