My journey...

Saw this movie "mistress of spices" today. Interesting movie. About an indian lady who have given her life to spices. She has some rules to follow in this life that she has chosen. In return, she does "miracles" with the spices. They work magic for her customers. She has some sort of a prophetic gifting when she obeyed the rules of the spices but if she disobey, the spices works against her. She could not step foot out of this spice shop which she runs and she cannot touch another human skin. Cannot fall in love. Told you it is an interesting movie. She ended up liking this guy (not very good looking also)and the spices got angry with her and causes her customers to be angry at her. Then she did the unthinkable, she step foot out of her shop in disguise of helping someone but actually going on a date with this man. She was terrified of disobeying the spices but she did. At the end, she tried to burn herself to show her devotion to the spices. Bazaar movie.

It reminds me of some people in the church. How many are trapped in the tradition and the "rules" of the church. They serve the church instead of the living God. They live their whole lives serving and upholding the traditions and becomes "super spiritual". Trapped in their own fears of being out of line in case they loose the "presence of God" or the "favor of God". Just like this mistress of spice being dominated by the spice, some church dominates the lives of the people. Giving them a false picture of what life on earth is suppose to be. Making people to live in unreachable expectations of themselves. Everything that they do are controlled by the church. Afraid to make any sudden moves. Causing people to live in this pretense of what a perfect "christian" should be.

Is there a perfect Christian? Is that why there are so many who are hurt by the church and so many in living in sin and hiding it. Afraid to go for help because of shame. Fear that they will be rejected by the church because afterall they should have "perfect" life. Shame because they are not living the life that they should be? We are all sinners saved by grace and our salvation is a journey. Who says we need to be perfect to be accepted? Tradition that we have been serving? Religion that we are trying to hold on to? The institute that we call church family?

What is community where there is no love?
What is unity where there is no mercy?
Each seem to be seeking for things above
but the truth they do not see

Hearts that are broken
Lives that needs mending
Words t hat are not spoken
Even silence seems deafening

Love that is not felt
Help that is not given
Silent cries of the people
just goes on unspoken

Where is the love we are to extend
A community where people can depend
Giving grace as God intends
Where people no longer need to pretend