Just over a week ago, I posted a little snippet about being discontent in life and the kind of life I lead because of my discontentment. I promised during that post that the next one will contain the story of going to see the Watoto Children's Choir while I was out in Quebec. (And this post still will.) But as my time back home has progressed, the same thoughts I had during the concert have become even more bothersome than they were before. Out of nowhere, they started to connect to the things that I've been struggling with and the frustrations I've been having.
Instead of having a typical Sunday evening at Capernwray, everyone from the school piled into a bunch of vehicles and went to a nearby town to see the Watoto Children's Choir. I've seen them once before at my parent's church a couple years back. It was a good evening, filled with good company and good music. A few of the children shared about their life and what kind of background they had come from. All of the children in the choir came from a pretty terrible background. Many were orphans. Others were eye-witnesses to the horrific war scenes going on in Africa right now. But they all had one thing in common: they all loved Jesus.
It was amazing to hear about their love for Jesus. It's so pure, untainted, and simple. And their focus in life is entirely on Jesus and the things He's provided for them and nothing else.
I wish we had that attitude where I'm from.
(I'm not even sure if I should say this or not, but I'm going to anyway...) I'm sick of what Christianity has become in my town. It's become this thing that's no longer really about Jesus anymore. It's become religion. It's no longer about love, reaching out, and sharing the gospel with others. It's no longer about encouraging other Christians in their faith. It's become this church against church thing. I'm sick of hearing fellow Christians degrade another congregation in the community. I'm sick of hearing fellow Christians promote their congregation in such a way that lets the people know that they aren't "truly Christian" if they don't attend their services. I'm sick of being criticized for not going to the same church as my parents. I'm sick of being criticized because of the church my parents happen to attend. I'm sick of having to stand up for people that I care about and love very deeply because the churches are against them.
There are people all around the world that are dying of starvation, watching their family being killed, being kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers, and dying because of what they believe in. And what are we worrying about? Homosexuals forming support groups in our schools?
When did Christians stop being known for their love and compassion? Our love for each other and our love for other people is what the world is supposed to see when they look at us. But is that really what they're seeing? Are they seeing Christ? Or are they seeing a bunch of self-righteous holier-than-thou homophobes?
Now I don't want this to come out wrong, so let me clarify something. I don't believe that homosexuality is right. The Bible is very clear that that's not the way God intended for relationships to be. Lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, idolatry, pride, greed, and lust are all sins too. But do you see Christians hating on people that commit those sins as much as you do with homosexuality? No. In fact, I've witnessed many Christians themselves commit those sins. So what makes us Christians think we have merit to judge other people? Hate and judgment from Christians has never brought anyone closer to the saving knowledge of Christ. All it's done is push them farther away. We're trying to sell religion to the world, not introducing them to the person of Christ.
God is an awesome God, but many Christians don't portray that. It's sad.
Check out this previous blog post to fully understand what I mean: God Is Love
