If the Church Did You Dirty

Maybe you’re one of those tender souls. The ones who went to church because they needed some answers. A soft place to land. Some long-elusive peace. Or the ones who went to make their momma happy. (God bless you.)

And you kept going, even though you saw some things that startled you… or stung…

Or shattered you into a thousand jagged little pieces.

Looking back, you know exactly when you decided to walk away. And why you’re certain you’ll never, ever go back.

Because the church did you dirty.

(And you’ve got the scars to prove it.)

Maybe you’ve heard the saying…

“The church is the only army that shoots their wounded.”

Sadly, there’s an element of truth there.

Chances are, if you go to church awhile, you’re bound to be wounded. Sometimes critically.

It’s inevitable.

(And why would we expect otherwise?)

Because the church – every church – is full of fainthearted, self-centered, broken people. One hundred percent populated by people who struggle with some sort of bad and/or ugly. Bitterness, pettiness, pride, prejudice, lies, lust, greed, rage… you name it.

Sometimes the people who are supposed to lead or look after us, lord it over us instead. And then resort to gossip, guilt-tripping or gaslighting to keep us in line.

Sometimes… they commit heinous acts under cover of “the cloth.”

Authoritarianism is rampant. And spiritual abuse is real. (There’s a reason the term “bully pulpit” is a thing.)

Sadly, Jesus knew it would go down like that.

And it grieves him…

Gutted him.

He saw it firsthand when he walked this dusty planet. And he called out the offenders in no uncertain terms.

“Woe to you… religious leaders! You are like beautiful mausoleums—full of dead men’s bones, and of foulness and corruption. You try to look like saintly men, but underneath those pious robes of yours are hearts besmirched with every sort of hypocrisy and sin.” ~ Matthew 23:27-28 (TLB)

The church is Jesus’ beloved.

Despite all the sin and selfishness and shortcomings we so flagrantly display, Jesus won’t give up on us. His tender devotion endures.

Picture a groom on his wedding day.

Dressed and ready.

Waiting…

And waiting.

Wondering, Where is my beautiful bride?

He searches and finds her… sitting in raw sewage in a stained white dress… cutting herself.

We’re pitiful.

Sin soils us, makes us sick.

But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” ~ Mark 2:16-17 (NLT)

With aching kindness and mercy, Jesus sacrifices everything for his beloved to make her whole, heal her, bless her.

His body. His blood. His breath.

On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” When supper was over, he did the same with the cup. He said, “This cup is the new promise  made with my blood. Every time you drink from it, do it to remember me.” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (GW)

Jesus poured out his love, his very life for his bride. He loved her to death. And now – holy and wholly alive – he rushes to her side, helps her up, washes her wounds, wins her back.

He promises to love and cherish her, forever.

That’s his promise to you and me.

Unfailing love.

Abundant life.

Happily ever after.

Don’t let people fool you. They’ll let you down, yes. (And some will say they follow Jesus and then turn around and dance with the devil.)

But they are not him.

Don’t judge Jesus by the people who say they follow him… myself included. Don’t run from your truest love – to punish someone else. Jesus was, is, and always will be, innocent.

He’s the real deal.

The rest of us are poor imitations.

“Do not be too quick to condemn the one who no longer believes in God: for it is perhaps your own coldness and avarice and mediocrity and materialism and selfishness that have chilled his faith.” ~ Thomas Merton

Oof.

If the church did you dirty, don’t doubt that God knows… and doesn’t take it lightly.

Quite the opposite.

He will expose, eradicate and exact justice. It’s only a matter of time.

Nothing is hidden that won’t be exposed. Nor is anything concealed that won’t be made known and brought to the light. ~ Luke 8:17 (CEB)

(Some folks should be trembling right about now.)

If the church did you dirty – myself (or my fatally-flawed brothers/sisters) – we owe you a public apology.

Heartfelt, forthright, sincere.

You deserve nothing less.

You went to church for help, hope… and not only did we not care for you as Jesus would. We made things worse.

Please forgive us.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” ~ Luke 23:34 (RSV)

My prayer for you is healing, wholeness. And the best Physician I know is… Jesus.

He’s ready and waiting.

Wendy