Community

Reflecting this morning on a fallen minister, and sadly, there have been many.

My husband commented that it doesn't ever seem to be small issues that come to light, but big, awful things.

I said that I think that too few of us are operating in proper community.

Too many of us are hiding our flaws, our issues, pushing them down. Instead of dealing with things, they are ignored, yet they continue to grow. Too many of us aren't caring enough to speak the truth in love to others. Too many of us are embarrassed and won't seek out help, because it makes us look like less of a Christian.

You see, part of the purpose of the church is to be a community of people that will hold each other accountable, encourage one another in areas to be worked on, speak the truth to each other in love, be able to call on others for support and help.

But we are a church of fake people. Someone asks how we're doing, our reply, "Great," when inside we are hurting. We surround ourselves with friends that will only tell us what we want to hear.

Next time someone asks how you're doing, be honest. Don't dump trash on them, but let them know of areas they can pray about. If you're the friend asking, then press a little further when you get the pat answer that everything is fine. Ask how your friend's walk with God is going, ask if there is anything you can pray about. If you struggle in a particular area (and don't we all), seek out help. Don't ignore it and hope it will go away. Seek counseling, read books, find an accountability partner. If you have a church member or friend that does fall, don't abandon them, or shun them. We all have our weaknesses. Build them up in love. (Now if that person refuses correction and refuses to change, those are different matters. See what Paul has to say in I Corinthians 5 and II Corinthians 2.)

We are a disabled Body of Christ, handicapped in so many ways. We aren't fulfilling our mission. We all have a job to do, it's time to get real.

Read I Corinthians 12. And remember, there is always a way out, read I Corinthians 10:12-13.