How far is too far?

I recently had a conversation with a good friend the other day over lunch. We were discussing a topic that I am led to believe is not discussed to often – at least within the church walls.

How far is too far?

Let me guess. Your thinking along the lines of 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base and home! But actually, we were not at all discussing such a thing. Instead we were thinking along the lines of relevant teaching – in the church.

We hear several teachings on grace, forgiveness, tithing, maybe even whether it is better to be cremated or buried or teachings on Moses and King David – what you’d hear in your childhood Sunday school class. But what about those teachings that get down and dirty, a bit uncomfortable – out of the box? It’s those issues like sex, adultery, alcohol use, divorce, and homosexuality – issues that would be considered quite controversial within the church today.

Now, I am certainly not setting out to downplay the relevance of teachings on important aspects of life including those such as tithing and grace, but are there not far more issues that are perhaps more relevant to today? Issues that if we discussed them – even when it seems awkward, too close to that line, baring it all – we wouldn’t have to teach so much about finding deliverance, or the need for grace in the midst of some of life’s most toughest circumstances because we would have already avoided getting caught up in such issues?

Have I confused you yet?

I know that more than ever in this generation, people are faced with these issues – resulting in lots of questions and experimenting. “Is it okay to do this with my girlfriend – we’re not actually having sex?” Or “I enjoy a drink a few times a week and I don’t get drunk, am I living in sin?” “Would God still accept me if I find myself addicted to this or that…?”

When the church approaches people with such issues and questions, I often see the opposite of love and acceptance. Instead, some tend to reject or condemn the individual – putting people in their place and remind them of how sinful their behavior is, expecting them to change their ways. But what if we approach them differently? What if we meet them where they are at, while not condoning their behavior, we simply accept them as a person and love them through their issue?

Instead of just saying, “You can’t get drunk or cheat on your wife because it is a sin,” we come down to their level for just a moment, and love them, for them. We cannot expect anyone to trust us or respect what we have to say if we haven’t accepted them for who they are, meeting them where they are at and simply just love them. Through this, a foundation of trust and respect is built, and we can then speak encouragement and biblical truth into their lives – allowing God to do the rest. Because it is only He who can free someone of such issues, right?

Do you dare to “cross that line”- that line that puts God in a box, that only seeks the norm, the comfortable, the sugar coated truths – to talk about those uncomfortable, down and dirty, baring it all, controversial issues and accept those individuals with their questions, their shortcomings, their insufficiencies? Do you dare to believe that God works “outside of the box too?”

Cause you know, if we meet them where they are, then perhaps they may believe that God will too meet them where they are at……even if your singing praises sipping on wine…..don’t doubt that He wouldn’t meet you there too!

It may take us “crossing the line” so that others do not “cross that other line.”

Peace Like A River

Close your eyes.....take a deep breath......

…..Imagine for just a moment yourself on a quaint little harbor, just feet away from the still, quiet waters. Here you breathe....you exist....you are, you. The earth standing still...nothing between you and God…..

This weekend I had the opportunity to go up North with a dear friend for a little getaway. It was quite the experience, as it was my first time going up to Mackinaw. We encountered interesting people, ate good food, drank delicious Chai, drove over the bridge with such a rush. But more than the rush, more than the satisfaction of good food and drink, and time spent together, it was one moment that stood out above the rest. This moment was the very reason God brought us up there.

….As I sat there, starring out into the quiet waters....nothing standing between me and God, a sudden peace swept over me. A peace I had never felt before. And it was in that moment God spoke. It was then, I knew that everything was going to be okay…..

Often times in our lives we get so caught up in what life throws at us. Some of us lose control, some harden up and some of us just nonchalantly go along with the flow. For some of us, it is in those times that we begin to lose hope, lose faith, we no longer have peace in life. Its that diagnosis you just got from the doctor, maybe you've been declared bankrupt, or that shattered heart from a broken relationship, or those divorce papers from the person you thought you'd be with forever, or possibly the death of a loved one, maybe even that one 1 lb. of weight gain on the scale. Whatever it is, you've been shaken.

........As I began to cry, all I wanted to do in that moment was sing to my God. One song came to my heart......

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio G. Spafford

…..In the midst of your shaken world.....go with me....back to that harbor......that place of refuge, a dwelling place....where you can be you, broken, raw, vulnerable, bare…….

…..Take a deep breath. Now allow God's peace and love to shower over you. And know that,

Everything is going to be okay.