It Goes Both Ways

I must admit to being a bit hard-headed. I often try to do things on my own. Build something, move something heavy, do something dangerous. I call it my "sense of rugged individualism." Kristin calls it me being stubborn.

We recently did some work on our back yard that required a rock compressor. When I picked it up at the rental place, it took two large guys to get it in the car. It was early on Saturday, and Kristin was sleeping in. Leslie and Kenna would be no help, for sure, so I managed to get the contraption out myself with no hernia. "See, I don't need help!" was my thought. When the work was done, I attempted to lift the machine into the car. I managed to lift one side about three inches. The back of our Xterra is about 2.5 feet up. This would not work. I thought of creating a lever system, but lacked sufficient material. And pulleys would never work. So I had to rely on another human to accomplish my task. I was crushed- but thankfully it was not by the compactor.

So often we approach life that way, especially spirituality. I can overcome my sin on my own. I can mature with no help. I can serve by myself. I don't know if this is a symptom of American Christianity or if it is a worldwide phenomenon, but it flies in the face of the teaching of the early church.

They lived together. In some cases, literally. They did life together. There was a communal way of living that some might say resembled socialism or communism because there was a spreading of the wealth. But unlike these man-made political systems- the sharing was not forced, but given willingly. They gave their time, energy, finances, possessions and their lives to each other because they loved, not because someone made them.

But now, we don't want to admit our needs, because it means we are "weak." We failed to do it on our own. As much as I talked about the Church needing you- you need Her just as much. So here are some reasons we tell our people why they need the Church:

Accountability
We need people to watch our back, to catch us when we fall. This is not judging others for their failings, this is an up close relationship that depends on deep friendship to give it weight. It is based on love, not a desire to appear better than another.

Support
We need to help each other. Financially, with our skills, with our presence. The Church has ceased to support our own, let alone those outside. When was the last time you can remember being a part of a church that really shared with each other? Financially or emotionally?

Challenge
We push one another. We challenge the status quo of each others thoughts. We strive to sharpen each other. We make one another better.

Spirituality
You can get the others from lots of different organizations, but spirituality can only come from a group that is seeking something higher than themselves. The Church should offer a chance for shared experiences of God. This will lead to shared understandings of God, which lead to a deeper unity- deeper relationships- than can be found anywhere else.

The simple fact is, there are times when we need other people to help us with the heavy lifting. Be that our economic strife, our emotional baggage, or spiritual doldrums. The Church has been the place for people to go to find these things and their source- true hope.

She can be the one we go to again.