Embracing the smell
There is an old saying making the rounds: “The church is much like Noah's ark. If not for the storm outside, you couldn’t stand the smell inside.” How true. The only escape from the stench of animals in close quarters was to jump into the floodwaters of destruction. This observation speaks directly to the dilemma of my friend John, who has become disillusioned and disenchanted with the church because of the self-destruction he has witnessed among Christians who cannot resolve conflicts in a Christ-like manner.
John has come to the realization that Christ-like perfection will not ever exist in the earthly Body of Christ. Every one of us is in the process of Christian maturity. Until we are reunited with Christ, we will remain flawed, and we will, individually and collectively, continue to disappoint Him.
Even the letters of the Apostle Paul to the fledgling church are full of criticism and exhortation in addressing faulty human behavior. Paul sadly but forcefully spoke to the issues that were tearing the church apart.
What can we as the people of Awana do to edify the Body of Christ? What can we do that promotes unity and healing in the precious Body of Christ? Obviously, we can dig into the Word. We can benefit from Paul’s “been there; done that” instructions and advice. We can pray.
My friend John came to one other startling realization. In his disillusionment, he completely failed to recognize that his perspective was Pharisaic. In separating himself from the church, he had become elitist. With his choice to step away, he set himself apart from the imperfections that he shares. He has come to understand that spiritual development is an incomplete process in him as well as those he chose to avoid. I suspect that there’s a little bit of John in all of us.
The smell in the Ark may be disgusting at times, but the storm outside is fatal.>>