"Church" Five

Nomads. Exiles. Not words that we would typically use to describe the church.

Yet, for those who begin to identity themselves with the Kingdom of God, this world, as beautiful as it can be, becomes less and less our home. The apostle Peter wrote to the church to remind them that they are strangers and aliens here (1 Pe 1:1, 1:17. 2:11). Jesus, while He walked the earth and loved the people in it, never stayed in one place for long but instead moved about like a nomad while He ministered. He said of himself  in Matthew 8:20 "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay his head." And in John 17:16, He said of His people "they are not of this world, even as I am not of it." These verses and many others like them, can give you the sense that we should not get too comfortable here. 

I visited a church a while back that I really enjoyed. Great worship, good preaching, friendly people. More than this though, I loved the comfort of the building. Comfortably padded seats, exactly the right room temperature, perfectly executed lights and video that changed with the music. Really nice. These things can be great tools if they draw people in the doors to where they hear the gospel and perhaps even come to give their all to Christ. Yet, I have to wonder what exactly is being communicated through such amenities? How does that square up with the consistent Biblical teaching that we are not to be too at home in this place? And does this possible contradiction prevent us from relating to broken community around us which we are called to transform? 

I am all for excellence in whatever we do. The Tabernacle in the Old Testament was a beautiful display of carvings, gold, incense and fabrics (Exodus 35-39). Much of this came from God's own instructions. To be in that place must have seemed intoxicating. Yet, it was very clear that this was all about and for - God. If I were honest, much of what I enjoyed in that church a few months back had far more to do with my own preferences than giving God glory. Sure, I sang songs to God, I prayed to Him, I opened and heard a message from His word but what was being communicated to me without words was a clear message and it was: I and my happiness were what mattered. 

During the same time of the Tabernacle, the people of God were exiles and nomads in the desert. After a generation comes and goes, God is ready to bring His people into a new land where things will be comfortable and readily available. Before He does though, He solemnly warns them that as they move from a place of dependency to comfort, it will be easy for them to forget God (Deuteronomy 8:10-18). Sadly, this is exactly what happened.

I pray God makes His church restless. I pray He makes us uncomfortable. Not for the sake of being these things, but for the sake of knowing Him and identifying ourselves with the mission of Christ.