At least once in your life (probably more) you will experience some kind of conflict within the church. At least once in your life (probably more) you will experience some kind of doubt in your faith. If these two things happen at once you might consider leaving the church altogether. I hope you won't do that. Even if every fiber of your being says "GET OUT" I hope you won't do that.
Instead I hope you'll do this one thing: Visit an elderly member of your church.
Hold her hand. Talk to him about his first love. Pray together. Laugh. Wheel her around the assisted living home. Meet his friends. Ask why he first joined First Baptist. Ask why she stayed at First Baptist. Give him a kiss on the forehead. Eat lunch together. Listen to his wise words. Ask to see pictures of her grandchildren. Smell his prize-winning gardenias. Meet their cows. Eat all the cookies she offers.
Visiting seniors won't magically make conflict disappear, but it will connect you to folks who have loved the church for longer than you've been alive. That love usually isn't flippant or naive, so listen carefully. Ask how they stayed with the church when the going got rough.
Visiting seniors may not make doubt subside, but it will connect you to folks who have experienced their fair share and lived to tell about it. Ask how they trusted God when the going got rough.
Visit these friends and listen. Learn how you might weather the storms.
No comments:
Post a Comment