I Still Love the ChurchSample

THE CHURCH IS GOD'S PLAN

"The local church is the hope of the world." I believe in this statement with every cell in my body.

Yet many local church leaders have caused more hurt than hope in individuals' lives. At the same time, many more have found renewed hope because of many in the body of Christ. The church is God's plan.

Let us first take a look at God. One thing that we know for sure is that He is not surprised, panicked or passive about anything. God is active, prepared and strategic. Before the earth's foundation was even formed, he had a plan. God's got this. He is in control. Focusing on the hurt right before us is too easy to lose perspective. It is important to sometimes take a step back and remember that God is sovereign; he is the beginning and the end. He works all things back into good. God can bring purpose out of pain when we allow him in. Partnership with Jesus is crucial to the plan, as we cannot do anything in our strength.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 4:16 declares that He makes the whole body fit perfectly and that each part has its special work. When that happens, it helps other parts grow. This is the body of Christ working holistically, not individually. This is God's plan for the church. The plan was never meant to be about one part above another. The plan is that when people see the body of Christ working, they see Jesus. Placing a person above The Church is like placing my eye above my entire body. However, the slightest piece of dust in my eye can render it dysfunctional.

God has a plan—this is clear. However, we have been given free will, which often results in individuals going rogue and detouring from the plan. Once again, the truth and tension stand side by side. People fail; the church hasn't. The church's mission was placed in the hands of fallen, fickle humans over decades, and it still prevails.

May you never allow the broken tension of individual humans to become your truth, but always use the truth of Jesus to process the tensions of this broken world. WHY - because in this lies the hope for the world. Modelling a better way - John 13:35: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS

• Do you believe that God has a purpose and plan for your life within the great plan for the church?
• What lies or vows have you been believing that has held you back from stepping into your purpose and plan?

PRAY:

Jesus, I thank you that you have a plan and purpose for my life despite my fallenness. Thank you for using wounded healers to activate your plan for the world. Thank you for calling me to be your ambassador; I pray that you are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path every step of the way. Amen.