Lakeside Visitor August 2010

 

Have you ever been in a church member circle where the double speak of church politics or 'keeping up appearances' seems a little too much to take? Your pulse might quicken now at the thought of a situation particularly irksome to you. You might even have decided church is not the place for you because of such unchristlike behavior. Perhaps you believe we should actually be known by our love like Jesus said (side note: we should practice self-examination and know without doubt that someone likely thinks of us like this as we think of them).

You may be pleased to know you're not alone. Even Paul dealt with this unfortunate church reality. In Romans 16:17-18 Paul talks about people within our midst that are better left to their own devices and toxic ways. It certainly wasn't advisable to mimic such ways and even less advisable to be simple enough to fall prey to their teachings. Paul is urging us to be wise with our company (1 Cor. 15:33) and that might seem horribly intolerant in our tolerance-obsessed culture. We often wave this cultural buzzword like a messianic flag when it's closer to dirty underwear. There is a time to deal with what's going on in our hearts and minds and to do anything less is disingenuous.

At camp this week we are studying how to be authentic with ourselves, friends, family, and God. I have been pleased by how well students have responded to the material and hope that, in our failure to live out such authenticity, we do not inadvertently encourage them to think such an ideal is not worth pursuing – or worse, not possible. Can I model for these youth an example of being real with others whether it’s easy (as in good times) or hard (as in painful times)? If I do so I know I might hurt feelings, or have mine hurt, but I could consequently build up a better friendship or lose some dead weight. It seems harsh to think someone in our lives might be dead weight, but that could be the case. Either that or maybe we’re faulting them for the very issues we are guilty of.