be the church

my friend bill sent me a link to an email this afternoon.  it was inspiring.  you can read the whole thing right here.  there were some direct words of encouragement at the end of the article that really stuck with me:

Be the church. Set aside political battles and engage in spiritual warfare. Focus not on others, but on yourself. A light does not have to be forced to shine; simply allow yourself to be filled with God’s light, then release it.

be the church.  i love this.  we don’t go to church.  we are the church.  sometimes we just need to be told to straighten up and be what god has designed for us to be.  this is not about programs and meetings and music and traditions and religious behavior.  it’s about a life we live.  it’s about who we are.  it’s about meaning and purpose and calling.

engage in spiritual warfare.  not all battles are good battles.  christians are notorious for fighting.  i just wish we were known for fighting for the right things.  spiritual warfare is all about the hearts of people.  we don’t fight over behavior.  we fight for hearts.  when are we ever going to get this basic truth?

focus not on others, but on yourself. this seems like the antithesis of christlikeness, but it is not.  we spend way too much time worried about what other people are doing…the choices they are making…the values they espouse…the lifestyle they opt for…instead of taking care of business in our own personal camp.  the world…your world…would be a better place if we took care of our own hearts first.

allow yourself to be filled with God’s light, then release it.  how about this week we get about the business of letting god fill us…and then walk outside our little christian cocoons and love…i mean really love…people who are far from god.  i think we will be amazed at what happens.

i hope this is your best week ever.

#battle #church #light #spiritualwarfare