Now, I know that we ALL have stories. Everyone has been through things. Amazing and horrible things. But if we're doing anything right, we should be learning from every experience we have in life. Sometimes big lessons, sometimes small. But something.
Here is a story about one of those lessons for me.
A few years ago, I was feeling a pull to leave my old church. There was a change in season and a knowing in my heart that it was not the right place for me to be. So after a long time of praying, some experiences, and confirmation through my family (who had been feeling the same way), we left. (In a future blog, I will talk about why and about the AMAZING God journey we've been on since.)
There has been a LOT of talk, rumors spread and assumptions made as to why my family and I ended up leaving - almost all of them are wrong.
We went through all of the proper channels and talked to all of the right people about leaving and always wanted to make sure we had a heart that honored the church and the Pastors. We thought we had done it right - they seemed to think otherwise. I have never experienced such a "shunning" in my entire life. Silly things happened - even like people deleting us off of Facebook, talking about us behind our backs, and making up lies. It has actually gotten to the point now where if I try to talk to some of the people that I used to be close with from the church, they delete my comment or just ignore me completely.
Does that sound like Christianity? Since when did church become a "club" where you're only accepted if you're there but if you leave, you're out. Where is the love or loyalty? Compassion and grace?!
One of the things that really frustrated me, was when my mom wrote to the person she was supposed to write to, with complete respect and honor, and they wrote her back with a message of basically "make sure you don't steal the 'sheep' or touch the anointed. It will be bad if you do."
Really?
Now despite my frustrations and hurt, I have no bad feelings towards the church or anyone there. Honest to goodness. Neither does my family. We never did. EVER.
However, all of this really made me think about something.
"Don't touch God's anointed" - people use this in reference to pastors. Any pastors. They are the anointed ones. But I have a little surprise - YOU have a calling too. One that you have been created and anointed for as well. It may not fit the church mold. THAT'S OK. Maybe you're called to be an artist, a singer, an attorney, a doctor, a cheerleader, a scientist, an engineer, a sailor, a mom... you were created to thrive in that - to reach people that may never step foot in a church - to love your life and live with passion.
I know my calling. I know it's not God's timing to walk out that calling yet, but I still have it. Therefore, I will be anointed to carry it out. So then, why is it ok to attack, spread rumors about or "touch" me? It's not. It's also not ok to punish people or make people feel bad for doing what they were taught to do - follow God's leading.
My calling is not your calling. Your calling is not my calling. I am not called to church ministry and I am not called to be a Pastor - AND THAT'S OK. Jesus said to go out into all the world - that includes outside of the church walls - going to places that could be "unacceptable" or "not holy". The church should be there to support their brothers and sisters - not shunning them and cutting them out instead.
I know a lot of people that have had similar experiences in church or gotten bitten by the sting of religion. That's not ok. Church isn't a club. It shouldn't be about who's popular, how much money you have, or whether you're serving every weekend in kids ministry. But sadly, that is what it has become for a lot of people. It seems like it's become so much more about the "heart of the church", the "heart of the pastors" or "serving", that JESUS gets lost in the crowd.
Christians are hiding their judgement behind the label of "clicking" - if they don't like a person - whether it be the way they look, their clothes, their income, their sexual orientation, or anything else, they blame it on the fact that they just don't "click" with that person. We're supposed to be the most loving, compassionate, accepting, understanding people ever. "Christian" means Christ follower - right? Why are the church and it's members not reflecting Him better?
That quote is a perfect example of how we should NOT be making people feel.
When Jesus was on the earth, people RAN to Him. They wanted to be around Him. Mary sat at His feet, John laid his head on Jesus' chest and other people just wanted to get a chance to see Him. He never condemned a sinner - He only got angry with the religious, holier than thou, pharisees. So if we are supposed to be Christ followers and reflect Christ, why aren't people running to us now? Because it's become more about the religion than the relationship - as cliché as that sounds, it's true.
Religion stinks guys. Anything that stinks is something that people will run away from.
I want to apologize to any christian, atheist or non believer that has been burned by the church, their pastors or members - that is not Christ. That is not Jesus. That is religion and I am so sorry for the stench.
Until next time...
<3 Brooke
