Thankful for Non-Religous People

I am up early at 4:21 this morning reflecting on what makes Harvest Church Norfolk such a great church. It is certainly not great because we are all perfect people. At Harvest, we readily admit that, "We are all broken people, but God is putting us back together again." At Harvest, this is not only spoken often, but it is believed and it is so true. This embracing of an obvious truth has become a major reason why Harvest is such a great church. It makes us all free to be normal, not wacked out, super-spiritual, condemning and condescending to all others, hate to be around, "Christians." Do you know what I am talking about? Those "Christians" who instantly find a way to raise their status higher than anyone around them. They have more "gifts," more inside information with God than anyone on the planet. They have that, "when you get to my level you will really be deep and tight with God" attitude. Their attitude and actions make me sick. Yeah, I said it. They make me sick. And for the record, Jesus didn't like that crowd either. If our church were like that I wouldn't attend it. That "holier than thou, come up higher" attitude literally turns my stomach. I want no part of it. But Harvest is different. At its very core our motto rings true, "We are all real people pursuing a real God." And because it is such a core value at Harvest, when someone begins to attend with that religious stuff on them, they either quickly get better and lose it, or they don't stay long and leave considering us "poor elementary Christians." Hey, I am so okay with that. Considering the options, I'll stay real. Their evaluation doesn't concern me, only His does. So at 4:20 I woke up with this horrible thought, "Wouldn't it be terrible to be the pastor of a group of religious people? You are always judged. You can never do enough. Everyone is faking perfection. The expectations put upon you are more than anyone can bear. But instantly, once I was fully awake, there came this warm, wonderful, and comforting thought; like a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate on a cold wet day, I am so glad I am a part of a normal church family. I am free to be me and you are free to be you. We can't fix ourselves, but God is under the hood. His grace is enabling and teaching us how to walk blamelessly before Him. At Harvest we are having fun serving our Lord together. And that is just how church should be.

Comments

[Joy]

I am 31yrs old and I've been in the church for 31 yrs and 9mths...In my early adulthood I began to have a really bad taste in my mouth for "religious people" I really began to question if "God was for me?" I am so greatful to have found Harvest because I have found "real people serving a real God" It's really nice to know that if I am not "holy" enough for religious people I am completly hole in the eyes of God simply because of my rich love for him and desire to serve him!