My journey...

I read one of the comments an old friend of mine made on facebook. "Organised religion is for people who fear going to hell. Spirituality is for people who have gone to hell and back". She has had a tough life. She was a Christian but I guess the church was not with her in her time of need or crisis. It is so sad for someone who came from an "Organised religion" background to make such a comment. Where is the community and the love that we are to show? The people whom we are to embrace? Sometimes we tend to focus too much on evangelism that we are proud of the number of people we have in the church but what are we doing with the people who are already in the church? Do we even care for their well being? Do we even know where they live? Of course we know if they are single or married. That is the first thing people check out. Then of course the church members would "match make" the single with another. But do we know his/her struggles?

Often when someone is struggling, we would just push them to another "counselor" cause it is her job and never to embrace the person again until the person is "whole".

The other day, a friend of mine called me to say that he discovered that his cat (Bless him for owning a cat), delivered kittens but he found them all dead in the house. He was so upset. Me in my auto mode immediately tried to comfort him by saying "Try to look at the bright side". Such a cliche thing to say. Then after that try to avoid the subject altogether. Then I realised all this person needed was someone to hear him and to share his sorrows. To understand where he is and to have someone listen to him. We are quick to give answers in church and often not the solution that they are looking for. But we think we have "done our Job". Never wanting to give up that which is the most important to a hurting person. Time and love and acceptance.

Do we even dare to look outward if the inward is slipping away. It is like saying "God, I have another soul saved for you. Heaven must be rejoicing" but meanwhile, 10 more slip away through the back. I need to make a conscious afford to listen and to love. It is definitely not easy but it is definitely what Christ would want for us to do. Religion is not so that we fear to go to hell. It is about our journey of faith and obedience. It is about bringing hope to those who feel that they are living "hell" on earth. Showing them the Kingdom. Being His hands and His feet. God help me.