The church is at a fork in the road. For years, she’s ridden along with popular culture, enjoying some of the scenery and ignoring what she inwardly detests. She’s sat with her “own kind” on this bus, clumping together by denomination or sect on the seats. Any detours toward social justice and climate change have sparked a common interest among passengers, but seemingly little has changed. Topics sparked by man hold a form of godliness without genuine power.
Along her journey, the Ekklesia has joined lively discussions on human trafficking and child pornography. But, when prayer was removed from school and abortion was encouraged there, she slumped quietly into her seat. When the cacophony of issues became unbearable, the church plugged her ears with praise music and silently fell asleep.
The violent sinkhole of 2020 caused this comfortable conveyance to rock wildly. Suddenly awake, many in the slumbering church opened her eyes to how far off track she had traveled. One by one, and in small groups, the faithful began disembarking out of the world’s transport.
Now, many of us stand afoot, aroused from slumber to seek the ancient pathways of our souls (Jeremiah 6:16). Deep calls to deep, and we remember that self-comfort isn’t our goal, but the Life and Spirit of Christ. Slowly, we’ve turned to walk away from the world’s way to see His will manifested. It’s quite a contrast.
As we journey together, we notice that our companions have various theological beliefs on trivial matters but are united in the One Whom we follow. Our progress may seem slow, but we have grown in numbers, intent on one purpose. Many feel lost and spiritually arid, but we are comforted knowing that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Dry grass is always the first to ignite.
Holy Jesus,
You rule and reign over all the kingpins of the earth, with an everlasting dominion that will never pass away (1 Chronicles 29:11; Daniel 7;14). You have given Your people keys to Your kingdom and encourage us to possess it powerfully for Your glory (Daniel 7:18; Revelation 1:6). Your purpose has been for us to act as Your deputies, upholding the authority of heaven here upon the earth.
Yet, as the church struggled to take its place on earth, we have become religious rather than Christ-like. We have been both in the world, as well as of the world. These things should not be, and we humbly ask Your forgiveness.
Thank You for shaking us loose from the temporal so that we may see the remaining eternal truth (Hebrews 12:28). As we stand barren and dry before You, we ask that Your fire fall into our midst (Zechariah 2:5). Burn up our chaff, use the fire itself to test the quality of our work (1 Corinthians 3:13). May we not fear Your fire, but welcome it upon our tongues that we might fill the earth with Your praise (Acts 2:3). Hallelujah.
Awaken more of Your people who have been lulled to sleep by the world. Expose all things to Your Light and make the hidden visible, for when we “arise from the dead, Christ will shine” (Ephesians 5:14). Even so, Lord Jesus, come.