I find it hard, when in church, to beleive the folks are taking things seriously? We, churches in general, seem happy people, lots of rejoicing goes on, praise is upbeat. When was the last time you were in church and people were weaping for this worlds suffering? When last did someone give a testemony of failure? of doubt? of spiritual pain? When was the last time we were real? Or is everything soo truely positive, that all we can do is praise, smile and be happy?
Now I am not suggesting we become miseries, hold pity parties. But feel there is no room given for expressions of pain etc. Am I correct in this?
On British railways the suicides have increased alarmingly, theres a lot of pain out there.
There is a lot of pain in the church, amongst christians, but its very seldome shared. Is this because people feel discouraged to do so?
Yes, yes, God is to be praised for all His goodness to us, and we are to rejoice, be happy. But as we approach Christmas, dont we realise many arent Merry? Many hate Christmas simply because their pain feels magnified by all the prosperity, joviality, that seems to surround them. Actualy, very little of our modern Christmas has anything to do with the birth of Christ. His were a poor family, He was born in a cattle shed.
The truth might be, in our churches, we have produced an atmosphere of false, forced, happiness, that leaves the wounded and hurt feeling rather left out. Lets be totaly honest christian friends, dont we feel we need to hide any pain, worries, behind a positive christian smile?
When were the disciples at their most real? May I suggest, when their world was turned upside down, when their Saviour lay in the tomb, when they hid in fear from the authorities? When their hearts were brocken and filled with fear? Like them, we all go through very dark times, we feel at a loss, fearfull, etc. Is there room in our churches for us when we are in a valley of despair?
The Christian message must be a positive one, and it is. But those listening to it arent always positive due to their experiances. Soo, when do we start openly weeping with those who weep?
My appeal to the church, to Christians, please get real this Christmas, and at all times, help those in pain to express their pain, and do something about it.
