Who Are We, Really?

BEWARE…The following is post from my wife, Amanda, I really think you’ll enjoy it!

“You don’t have to be a millionaire to look like one.”  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard things like that and thought, “oh that’s nice, that they are giving the rest of us the opportunity to have the finer things.”  Appearance matters so much in this day and age.  We work hard, and sometimes live pay check to pay check just to keep up with the Jones’.  Why is that?  What has so perverted our society that we think we are a failure if we aren’t able to throw down $100 for a graphic t-shirt that is easily recognized as a “finer thing” in life.

There is so much pressure on the young people of today to be and act a certain way.  The funny thing that I’ve noticed is that some of them will tell you, they are their own person and they do what they want (you know, stick it to the man).  When in actuality, they are falling into another persona that is just as mainstream and “hip” as the kids they are trying to avoid being like.

When I start to think through different activities or outreaches we can hold to draw people into the church, I’m reminded of what made the early church so successful.  It wasn’t that Paul and his crew rolled into town with an extravagant, carnival like tent.  The hottest band in town to bring the house down.  No, those things didn’t matter at all.  Instead, they walked a life of humility.  Don’t get me wrong, we need to understand the authority we’ve been given and who we are called to be.  We are the righteousness of God, through Christ Jesus.  Humility isn’t looking at yourself as less, rather it’s looking at yourself less and looking at others more.  Sometimes, it’s difficult to recognize that others are hurting because we are so pre-occupied with the things in our life that could really be going better.  Or the fact that it really takes up too much time and is a little inconvenient to go that extra mile, give that few extra dollars, spend that extra few minutes on the phone with someone who needs the resources we’ve been given.

In Acts, chapter 2, after the day of pentecost had come, the believers formed a community.  This is what the bible says about this community in verses 42-47:

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Imagine what a devastatingly beautiful affect this would have on our community if we dedicated our lives to fellowship and prayer and shared everything we had.  That’s not only monetary things, but also the authority we have as believers.  If we became so in awe of God that all we could do is cry our for an awakening and share the gospel with everyone we came into contact with.  If we were so overcome with generosity, that we abandoned our dreams of living in a gated community, to keep other families from losing their homes.  If only we could see through the spiritual eyes Jesus saw through.  If we were so moved with compassion that we got tired of sitting idly by and did something about it.

Let us not forget that we have the answer to the problems in the world today.  My bible tells me that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and I believe He is ready to rescue a generation again.  The question is, will we be His yielding vessel, who’ll stand before a Red Sea with a staff in our hand, and have the faith to believe it will part before us.  To command a lame man to arise and walk, a blind man to see?  When we begin functioning as God designed us to function, I believe everything else will fall into place.  People will be drawn to our services, and our needs will be met. The last thing on our mind will be whether or not we’re on the same level as the Jones’, but whether or not the Jones’ know Jesus.

- Amanda