There are few around today who know the importance and wisdom in the forgotten phrase “little is much”. From the perspective of less is good versus more is better how do we stand. Even we born again believers chase after the bigger is better theme. Look at our buildings; then take a look at our enthusiasm for winning souls. Look at our budget versus our agenda for effective, true discipleship. Priorities in a church body reveal a lot about the character of that church. How many take off to conferences where thousands meet together to hear 4 or 5 people give an inspiring testimony that brings you to tears versus how many of us sit face to face with a small group of men or women and share our spiritual struggles and needs to the point of shedding tears over our own brokenness and dependence on Jesus Christ. Vulnerability has been replaced with lovely stone walls that not only say “keep out” but also “I don’t need you” or they may merely say “nice to see you” but never expect to “know” you.
My point is – that we don’t fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ much anymore. We eat together a lot and call that fellowship, but true biblical fellowship is avoided so much that it has become much more comfortable to be together and never discuss spiritual issues with our Christian friends. Imagine that, it’s easier to talk about what we bought at the mall last week, or our kid’s soccer games or the latest media gossip rather than how I may be struggling to put a verse I read this morning into my daily actions. Why? Because by mentioning my private spiritual struggles, I become accountable to do something about it. Like maybe change– or seek out someone’s counsel or ask someone for prayer. And who wants to appear “weak” in our strong-self-willed-self-secured-self-confident (can I just say self-ish?) little world. It’s no wonder that almost every face I see has a lonely, wistful, unfulfilled countenance veiling the eyes of their hearts.
My vote is to get back to being together. Real people sharing real life. With our body of Christ—where we are while we are living. Plugging ourselves into the lives of those around us, giving ourselves to one another for the purpose of building up each other, and being built up in the process as well. Not just sharing a meal (which we don’t do much of anymore either) but while sharing that meal, getting to know one another in a spiritual way. Is this just a fantasy after which I am seeking? Is there anyone anymore who wants to discuss what God has to say about our lives, our kids, our marriages, our friends, our habits, our hopes and dreams, our failures, our stress, our pain, our hurt, our anger…where is the body of Christ when life is taking place? Is it hiding away – shriveling up from living on the crumbs of self-gratification. From what I see, it (the body of Christ) seems only able to perform and function in at a building which is mistakenly viewed as “the church”. Or maybe surrounded by a thousand other seeker friendly people – where one can silently cry at the words of an inspiring speaker, yet too embarrassed or too proud to share with fellow believers what it was that touched their heart.
We have made our homes into a haven for self only, it’s too much work to share that home with others, our time is too expensive to lavish it on someone who is needy—emotionally or spiritually, after all, we have our own families and problems to take care of. We love to say we don’t have time or money or the right home to share with the body of Christ, but the truth is – that is not the truth …..we should be willing to share whatever we have whenever we can. The bottom line, we need each other in the body of Christ. If we are not giving ourselves and our resources to build up the body of Christ, then we are aiding in starving it to death. Ever really look at a starving human body. It’s effectiveness and proper function is just about to breath it’s last breath. And if our effectiveness is dying, where does that leave our church. Ineffective…and useless. Where is the lifeline, the air supply, the effectiveness of the church supposed to come from? You know the answer—us. Members of the body of Jesus Christ. Until each member of the body chooses to die to self, and follow after Christ – until we put on love, that perfect bond of unity, we will have wasted our gift of life. We will one day have to bear the grief and pain of what we could have accomplished for God, and for others. Simply because we loved ourselves so much. This message began with the simple phrase “little is much”. It’s true and powerful. It doesn’t really take much to help someone, to care for someone, to encourage someone.
What to do…
Find someone now, today, that you can pour some of your life in to. Ask God to use you for His glory in the lives of others. It doesn’t take much! Just a little of your time.
