Realignment

Since the church is my family, I have really been investi-gating the “drift” theory. As I traveled since conference I have asked the question, “What is the drift?” I would get different answers. Sometimes I would get the impression that there is a transition taking place and it wasn’t necessarily clear where it is going but then when I think of the greatness of God and His promises I have to admit that whatever happens God always has a way for His people. The gates of hell shall not prevail. No matter how dark it will get God’s grace will always shine brighter, because “where sin abounds grace much more abounds.” I really like to look at the challenges of the day as a great realignment. There comes a time on your car, especially after some hard bumps that your front steering tires need to be realigned. We in the Church need to be sure that we are aligned with Christ. If we are aligned in Christian life we can’t help but wear right and we won‘t be dog trailing. We need inspiration and zeal lined up like sighting up a gun. If you don’t have the bead of truth in your sights of inspiration your going to miss heaven.
A realignment has little to do with the cries of liberalism vs. conservatism. We spend so much time stereotyping people and situations that we miss the point and nothing gets done. I have lived in conservative and liberal settings in the Church and realized that both miss the mark if Christ is not the main focal point. Whatever we think we are we need to be in the middle with an open ear to the Holy Spirit. It is not hard to outwardly live a standard of church tradition and ethics, but it is not worth the price of dwarfing your children’s spiritual growth and understanding. I want my family to be motivated in their Christian life because they know the Lord and His blessings. Then they can not but help the church. Often there is a question of defining Mr. Worldliness. He is such a slippery fish that you can hardly say you got him and he is slipping away. However if you’re prayerful and desire His Word and meditate on it you are going to recognize it for what it is. The word says “prove all things” for a reason. We have the Brethren as a safety to help us when we are not trying to be honest with ourselves. The real question is whether we are bearing the cross of Christ. What kind of cross did he bear. It was a cross of humility, self-sacrifice, and service. Each of us also have a cross to bear. We like to get self absorbed and jump into a hole and pull on one another for this and that well humanity is marching by. We need to be alive bearing the cross by helping others where we expect nothing in return. Since my job is in the service field my heart is touched by the little deeds of kindness people do like giving just a smile or a glass of water. A Christian should be able to be spotted by the small things he does for the sake of others. We need to bear the cross of prayer for our neighbors and everyone that the Spirit impresses on our hearts. The fact is that a lot of the cross is a burden on the heart. An invalid’s sighs and prayers to the throne of Grace can show as much zeal as anyone else. I have stood amazed in my youth at the bed of dying friends or family only to see them on fire and concerned for others.
When we see our brothers and sisters we should think we are staring into a treasure chest. Everyone has a talent to offer to the effort. We need to help everyone develop their gifts so we can all be more efficient for the Lord’s work. Moreover it gives each a sense of purpose and desire to succeed. Everyone is either active, passive, or a detriment to the effort. If you are in the last two it should be hoped that you are in transition to being active. Other wise you are not carrying your weight. We are a team. The timely assist or pass at the right time is what wins the game. There is no excuse. The true Church is most likely as close to heaven as we are going to get in this life, so we better make the best of it. Anyone can speak ill of someone or some program. In such a situation ask your self: What am I going to do about it? A prayer, a personal visit, or a helping hand is in place. Anything short of that you have no grounds to talk about somebody else’s lack. Imagine a man complaining about the ills of society and yet how many second miles is he willing to run to help someone else. If the answer is none-he himself is just another ill. If we see a lack in the church should we not humbly offer the little that we have to make it work. We should be instant in and out of season.
We need to take a leap of faith. Just like diving off a high rock or bridge. Often in a group of daring fellows one goes and the rest will follow, but in what we are talking about the stakes are so much greater.
When you crack down youth for their recreation activities and attitudes you better have a healthy alternative that they can channel their energies. That said they should be led by example. So how are you aligned?