| church
is...
By Matt Gonzales - November 2001
Recently Byrd, a member of Matthew's House and friend of mine,
made a great point about what it is to do church. She said something
that went like this, It's not about us receiving blessing, It's
about blessing the people around us. I couldn't agree any more whole-heartedly.
That is all it takes to be the church to people around you. Love
one another. Unfortunately, it is a bit harder to do than it is
to say. Most of the time to love someone you have to shut up. When
our house church gets together, loving each other consists of listening
and encouraging each other in the struggles and joys of life. It
is important not to come expecting to be the center of attention
(a struggle I deal with every week). Having a bless me attitude
will surely kill any work God is trying to do.
We have also realized the importance on acting on what God says
to us. If God is telling you to confront someone about something
lame they did, then do it. If someone's feeling that prayer really
needs to happen, then pray!
It is also very important to love the people that you are surrounded
by everyday. At work, loving people consists of looking past co-workers
faults and just conversing with them. and most of all have a good
time! It also means stepping out of the comfort zone. Do what it
takes to fill the needs of your co-workers as they arise. This is
also harder to do than it seems! There are two people that I work
with who have obvious needs that I can help fill but I still haven't
done anything about them. It is too much of a risk to step out and
fill those needs. I am very weak in this area and struggle with
it all the time. We are all imperfect people, so, mistakes are bound
to happen. When we really do take the opportunities to love people,
God acts in big ways.
Nic and Annetta spring to mind when talking about really loving
other people. Both of them (who just so happen to be brother and
sister) have really taken it upon themselves to love the people
from their schools, and each of them has developed very close friendships
with individuals by listening and spending a lot of time with them.
Their friends may not know Christ, but they have been coming to
church on a regular basis. They have a very strong desire for God
and have both seen God in Nic and Annetta. Though they haven't been
converted, they have found a place where they can safely seek God.
Nic and Annetta have shown their friends love and God has acted
through them in the course of their relationships. That is what
being the church to not-yet-Christians can do. This is something
our house church, and myself, are in constant prayer about. It is
our desire to love others whole-heartedly and unselfishly. My only
hope is that God will use us, you and me, messed up people, to do
his work. |
