Despairing and Hoping for the Church
By: Aubry Smith
Sometimes I struggle with a Church culture that stands like a stone pillar with chicken companies and free speech, yet wilts when asked to stand with the marginalized.
I have such anger when I hear furious passion about political candidates (who work for a fading kingdom), but awkward silence when it comes to the unreached and the kingdom we are supposed to be working for. When voting is given higher priority than evangelism.
I fight bitterness when I see Christians pouring money into bass boats and huge campers and bigger houses and more cars – while children die of diarrhea and chronic not-enough. And how is it that so many have not yet heard the Gospel or have a scrap of Scripture in their language? Why do I keep hearing that we “don’t have the resources,” when the truth is, our resources are put to fading flowers and withering grass?
I struggle to love the rich as much as I love the poor, trying so desperately to remember that God’s love remains on both and that I am actually in the former category, not the latter.
I see lots of “family ministries” and yet still too many orphans among us. We are frightened of their imperfection, the scars and the trauma that might seep into our lives and complicate them. We declare adoption too expensive, yet buy our teenagers brand new vehicles or indulge in their designer fashions.
And I’m trying to repent of my frustration against all of us, but I cannot help but feel that this is holy and just anger. That you and I simply don’t care enough to rearrange our lives for the sake of others. I see it in myself as much as I see it in others.
But I see so much hope, Church.
I see a young mom who had bravely taken in a newborn not of her womb, malnourished and who may have developmental problems. I see her loving this child, with all his complications, just as she loves her biological son. I see her caring for the “least of these” in the most tangible, non-theoretical, loving way. She is courage embodied.
And I see a young teenager in a small town surrendering her entire life to the Lord, who has called her into missions. She is getting pats on the back and probably some sideways glances that she doesn’t see yet. She is a young life surrendered to obedience without knowing everything that will be asked of her – but still, she is saying, “Yes, Lord.”
I see a family selling their possessions and figuring out what they can do without in order to bring the Gospel to those who have never heard. They’ve realized that they will have to give an account for the stewardship of their money and possessions and blessing. And in their simplicity and generosity and hardship, they depend on the God who provides.
I see a young counselor who is throwing her life into working with sex-trafficking victims, showing them the redemption and New Life of her powerful Jesus.
I saw a teacher who prayed for and mentored his teenaged students before school, during lunch, and after school, shining the light of the Gospel into their clouded lives. He discipled me through the hardest years of my own young life and pointed me towards godliness.
My despair is greatest when I find myself, fists clinched, holding tightly to everything that I believe will bring me security. I look at the bank account and how many people care about me and what must they think of me?
It’s my belief that these things will give me a great life that is so, so wrong.
You find your life by losing it.
And if you’re intent on gaining the world, you’ll lose your soul.
So, Church, how can we live in this realm of hope that I keep catching glimpses of?
How can we abandon this American dream of getting more and being more and embrace a life that is lost-to-be-found?
Can you pour your life into someone?
Can you sell or downsize to invest in a better kingdom?
Can you open your home to a foster child, or an orphan, or a pregnant teenager whose parents kicked her out? Can you give up your life, your finances, your plans to embody the Gospel of Jesus to those who can’t imagine such grace?
It’s time to live out of the abundant grace we’ve been given.
What is He asking of you?
What other stories have you seen or heard that gives you hope for the Church? What else could we do to embody the Gospel in this world?
Editor's Note: Aubry Smith graciously allowed me to reprint one of her articles from AubrySmith.com. If you have experienced the same sense of despairing and hoping for the church, we'd love to hear from you! If you scroll down a wee bit further, there's a comment box… please take a moment and send us a message – we'd love to hear a little of your story!
Who is Aubry Smith? First, I follow Jesus. If you must have labels, I generally fall into the evangelical, Southern Baptist world – but I often write about how I like to push out the edges of those labels.
For instance, I totally believe that speaking in tongues is still legitimate. I don’t want prayer back in schools. I’m a closet liturgical who loves fixed-hour prayer and observes Lent and Advent and other often-ignored holy days in the Christian year. So, rather than assigning labels and assuming beliefs, I’m a big proponent of just asking people what exactly is it that they believe, and why. Because I bet you break the bounds of your labels, too.
I am wife to Brady, my best friend and a seminary-quitter. I am a stay-at-home mom to two energetic boys: Breckon (3) and Kian (1). I’m from Arkansas, but I do wear shoes. I graduated from Ouachita (WASH-uh-tah) Baptist University with degrees in Biology and Christian Studies. We’re currently preparing to go overseas in 2014.
Copyright 2012, Susan McKenzie, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com. Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline and bio, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references. For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan McKenzie.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you, Susan, for sharing Aubry's article.
I feel despair at times that I am not doing more for others and for God in sharing His Good News but yet I also know that God does not want me to feel guilt. He knows my situation and I seek His guidance daily.
When I look at many church, community, and government programs to help the poor and down-trodden I see many things as 'do good' activities. The poor and down-trodden need a hand up, not a hand out. So many programs or even individual giving focus on the hand out rather than the hand up… really giving people a helping hand out of their situation into a better future. It goes back to the Biblical teaching of teaching a person to fish will feed them for the future rather than giving them a fish and feeding them for the day.
Just some of my thoughts on the subject… thanks for a very thought provoking article and may God's blessings be showered on you both.
Pat, you speak words of wisdom and life… I totally agree with you about the “do good” activities. I was just reading a blog by a homeless atheist and how controlling and manipulative some Christian ministries are, in administrating their programs for food and shelter. That is one man who will never darken a church door. He made some good points, and only wished to be treated with dignity… as an individual, not a charity case.
Thanks so much for sharing… I love your wisdom!
too often the church is a broken, marginalized, weak entity in society. Of course almost entirely at 'OUR' doing and not so much the enemy.
Great, compelling, passionate post Aubry. Glad to hear that there are like minded believers out there!
Thank you, Matthew, for reading and sharing! The enemy’s work is easy when we so easily cooperate with his plans, very true…
Thanks Aubrey, great article, but I might not agree with you in all areas and that is fine. You know when we talk that we all need to take care of the poor (which we all should), it almost sounds that we want to be God. God told us that the poor will be always with us and I believe that there are many people who reach out to the poor, more than we realize.
I love those ministries that are reaching out to sex trafficking and when people in desperate situations give their heart to the Lord. It is a fact that evil will get worse in these last days, but then the glory of the Lord will become brighter as well!
Then there are rich people who also give a lot to the poor; when I see the rich buy their things, I don't look down on them. Instead I think how awesome it is that we live in a country where that is possible. God gives everybody the same chances if we trust Him enough that He loves us so much that He takes care of everybody.
I know this is short and there is much more to say. I enjoyed your article, because I can sense that your heart is real and that is the most important part…my heart also needs to be real.
Being real is my goal, too, Olga and your comment is valuable! I, also, have been among people who have given their all to follow Christ. Aubry also mentioned some of those people. I think what we need most to consider is that the one who give their all are still a minority. I, for one, always love to be reminded of the Sermon on the Mount… I think if we can all live that one out, the world would be heaven on earth!
I love your perspective, Olga… looking to the positive side and focusing on what is good and what is working is a great thing! I appreciate you very much <3!