True Religion

I don't think about church or religion the way I once did. All around us, people are hurting. A woman is left alone to care for her children, with no help from a wandering husband. A couple cares for a family member who requires round the clock attention. A new mother cares for her newborn child while her husband protects our country overseas. None can make it to "church" on Sunday morning. Are we being the church? "Church" is not a building or two hours set aside on Sunday morning. "Church" is the Body of Christ, His hands and feet, reaching out, going to those who need His love. Are we being His church, or are we simply going to a building and only concerned about what we can get?

I am becoming more aware of how selfish I am. How minor my "needs" are compared to the suffering of others. I'm preaching to myself FIRST! I believe He is shaking us and waking us up! We've been religious for long enough. We've been about buildings, programs, doing, striving. All along, He's simply asked us to love Him and love others. That is all. And, that will take every hour and every ouce of energy we have. I want to be SPENT at the end of the day, knowing I cared for my family (first!) and others He sent my way...

Recently our pastor said he no longer asks people if they are Christians. That term has become a generic one and people say they are, regardless of how they live their lives. Rather, he asks, "Are you a follow of Christ?" This is the definition of "Christian." And, sadly many look at him blankly.

Oh God, let it be said of us, "They look like Jesus, they act like Jesus, they talk like Jesus." Let us SHINE for You. And when we fail, grant us humility to admit it and strength to rise up, repent and do better!