How we are, not just who we are

Reading

Revelation 2.1-7

‘To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands:

‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God. 

Reflection

There is no ideal Church, only the one that exists. So how do we reconcile this amazing, cosmic vision of who and what the Church is with the limited, fractured and fallible organisation we see enacted in our pews and parsonages, and in the pages of our news outlets day after day?

We need to focus less on what we are, and the limits and boundaries of that, less on what we do, and the way our own efforts might save us, and more on the way we are together, the quality of our being and our relating – how we are church.

In the words of Revelation, we need as a church to rekindle the love we had at first. Let’s be kind to each other, and focus more on the qualities that have the potential to bring us together, not drive us apart. For in the end we are, together, a demonstration of the wisdom God, no more and no less.

Challenge

How do we treat others, particularly when we disagree? Is it with kindness, openness and compassion, or do we try and preserve our own interests? Bear that in mind today.