...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life... From Philippians 2:12-16
We have only to look as far as our local newspaper to come to the realization that we live in a world very far from the kingdom of God. Looking to social systems, political leaders and governments for peace, security and certainty is more than likely to result in disappointment.
What of our church? What of God's Church -- the whole Christian Church on earth? I've heard sentiments like this too many times. Perhaps you have too:
If the church is so great, why are there so many [hypocrites, insincere, angry, bigoted -- fill in the negative quality of your choice] people there?
or worse yet:
If there's really a God, why does He allow so many bad things to happen -- especially in the Church? Why do so many churches seem to be struggling? Even dying?
As I think about it, I would go so far as to suggest that you may have had and may continue to have thoughts like these. At least I suspect you do if you are anything like me. Indeed, as one who teaches and preaches the Gospel, and maybe even more so because of it, I find these doubts cropping up, generally when they are least welcome. Mind you, if this is the case, you -- we -- are not alone, for many men and women of faith have, while recognizing their ultimate trust in God, still wrestle with their nagging doubts: "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24)
If you find yourself right now doubting God, doubting God's sovereignty over our seemingly chaotic world, or moreover doubting the often all human church to which we have been called, perhaps this story which I recently heard will help illustrate the point:
There was a certain minister of a small, struggling congregation. He worked very hard to preach the Gospel and tend to the needs of his flock. This minister was most delighted to discover one Sunday morning a new face in his congregation. The newcomer continued to attend faithfully for several weeks and then one Sunday he simply wasn't there. And then he wasn't there the following Sunday and the Sunday after that. The minister wondered what had transpired. Was it something he had said? The type of worship music? The time of service?
Deciding to pay a call on the now absent newcomer, the minister was warmly welcomed into the man's home, "Oh no, it's nothing you've done, Reverend," said the man, "I like your sermons well enough and the music is okay. It's just that... well..." the man hesitated for a moment, as if he were waiting for permission from the minister to continue, which he got in the form of an encouraging of weak smile, "You see, I'm not really sure about God, and Jesus, and the whole Christian thing. At least I wasn't. But something told me I should try it out, so I came to your church. And things were going along fine until I entered into a business arrangement with one of your church members. The fellow turned out to be a complete crook! Utterly dishonest! If that's what church and Christianity are all about, well, I'm sorry, but I want no part of it."
The minister, at a loss for words, thought for a moment, then, noticing a piano in the corner of the living room said, "Well I'm so sorry to hear that. Not to change the topic, but... who plays the piano in your household?"
The man was surprised at the question, but probably glad to talk about something else and most definitely glad to brag a little about one of his children, "My daughter has been taking lessons. Only for a couple of years now, but she's really pretty good for a little child." The man was clearly beaming with pride.
"That's wonderful," the minister replied, "do you think I could hear her play?"
The man called his daughter and she, perhaps a bit shyly appeared in the room. Not the first time she had been called upon to play for guests, she dutifully sat down at the piano.
The minister walked over to the piano and picked up a thick book of music. Paging through it for a moment, found a nocturne by Chopin, "Here. Would you play this one?"
"Oh no sir, that piece is much too hard20for me," said the little girl.
"Would you try anyway?" asked the minister, smiling warmly.
"Okay, I'll try," said the little girl. And try she did. Valiantly. Though in truth, she likely played more wrong notes than correct notes. The tempo and rhythm bore no resemblance to the composer's intentions. The piece was simply many years beyond her state of development. Perhaps, with continued guidance from her teacher, and diligent practice, she would one day play Chopin's elegant music beautifully. But not today.
After the little girl ceased her efforts and retired to her room, the minister exclaimed, "Well now, who wrote that? Chopin was it? Clearly not a ve ry good composer was he? What a poor excuse for music..."
No further explanation was required. The man realized the minister's point: Much as his little girl, while certainly a pianist, was still very much in the process of perfecting her art. The fact that she could not execute the most advanced of repertoire did nothing to diminish his fatherly love and pride. In the same way, whereas we have been redeemed by Christ, we are all very much in the process of sanctification -- the process of being made more and more like Jesus. We, and the whole church, may be said to be a work in progress. Just as the little girl's faltering attempts are not truly a negative reflection on the great composer, so too our faltering attempts as seek to learn to hear the Master's voice, as we endeavor to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit are not negative reflections on God or on God's intent for the Church.
If you find yourself discouraged by the world, by the Church, by your fellow Christians, perhaps that is the best opportunity to ask God to help you become a part of the ongoing process of transforming the church into the Glory which God intends.