If the truth were known, many of us have spent years building up defenses against love. Life has made us afraid. We’ve been hurt too many times.
And here we discover one of the major weaknesses of a caring life: We begin to demand that others return our care. If they don’t, we’re crushed . . . and we build a defense. After all, no one is going to run over us! So we’re back to square one: Self.
CARING MEANS GROUP
But, there’s something else here. Human beings need a place in which they learn about this quality life just as they need a place to learn their A, B, C’s, math and English. We need a place where we can find support and understanding as well as live the caring life. We need some persons who understand when we fail, who will not condemn us and exclude us, but who will encourage us. Some people who will give us enough love to enable us to continue.
We need to be in a group of people who are all trying to live a life of love.
A group who knows how to open up to each other.
Who knows how to be honest.
Who knows how to forgive.
A group who will make us feel accepted.
And worth something.
And loved.
Real love never leaves. Real love stays. It continues no matter what. It endures in spite of me.
We humans need to know this kind of love and care. We need people who will accept us, who believe we are worth something, who love us as we are and for what we can become.
(excerpt from ABC's of Being Human by Landon Saunders)
Friday, October 03, 2008
What is church?
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3 comments:
Amen and "thumbs up" to what you just posted. I've read that groups like the Vineyard have been fairly successful at creating this type of environment. Unfortunately, the experience I've had with church life doesn't look much like what you described here. I've heard people made fun of for being open and honest, others have brought up the personal failings and weaknesses of others over and over again, but far worse than this back-stabbing is the tendency to do nothing when people reach out. Back-stabbing at least suggests people are worth a response! We expect folks to keep coming to "church" but do little to reach beyond the usual "hi-how-are-you"..."I'm fine thanks." Excellent post. Keep it up.
Fantastic post, Jason (and Landon Saunders)! ....And fantastic comment, Eric! Amen, guys!
The key sentence in the above post is...
"Human beings need a place in which they learn about this quality life just as they need a place to learn their A, B, C’s, math and English."
It is so easy for us to assume that simply because we meet in the name of Christ, have been a Christian for a long while, that somehow our fellowship and interaction is on track.
Landon's approach is so refreshing because he takes nothing for granted. He sticks tight the the most basic elements of life and love, adding the humble realization that we have not yet arived -- we still need to learn.
Thanks for your comments!
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