We have Hope in Christ

Eph 2:10 tells us that those who are without God are without hope in this world. We also know that todays times and events cause stress and worry, and all sorts of insecurity and even depression. For some this causes them to withdraw, for others there is anger and reactiveness, and for some there is turning to drugs, to sex, to alcohol, etc...

Although people in the church, believers, are also going through this too. There are so many who are finding "church" as it is done today to be empty and fulfilling. As Hosea said, my people die for lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6). There is a misunderstanding, a lack of revelation as to what "church" is about. So many see "church" as the building, as the place to go and to be a spectator and look to the pastor or leader to be the one who is spiritual for them. People don't understand that followers of Christ are the Church - we don't go to church, we are the Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ, the living representation of Jesus on the earth today. All who are believers have a part and have a place - and have a ministry. In Eph Paul talks of the Body and how we are all members of each other, how each joint supplies for the growing of the body in love.

Oh that people who see this, understand this, and live this. This would revolutionize things. We would move away from empty religion into meaningful and life filled relationship in Christ. If we started seeing this and living this, we would find new life and power and hope and love in Christians. Some call this revival, but really it is a revelation of life as God intends it to be. He does not want us to be entertained once a week in a building, or go and experince some good feelings in worship. What the Lord has for us is daily, moment by moment, life and relationship (see John 15 all about abiding in Christ, maintaining a living communion).

When we have this reality in our relationship with Jesus we are anything but burned out - instead we are fired up with the passion and the love of Christ. We start becoming lights in the darkness, those who have something to minister and give - we become what God has intended us to be.

It can be so simple, but so powerful. Loving God, loving the people of God, and then sharing/demonstrating that love with those who do not know the Lord.