meditatio at the water's edge

I was reminded recently that we sometimes hear things from people that startle us. We hear people talk in ways that shock us and even hurt us. You know, people who you "thought were good Christian people"...and then they say something that sounds so heartless or so rude.

This is surprising because we expect more from those who profess to believe in Jesus. But as I think about it, I don't think we should be so surprised.

For too long, the church has said that it is okay for people to stay the way they were as long as they agree with our statements of faith. For too long we have accepted that people did not put off the old self--as long as they put off particular, superficial and culturally unpalatable parts of it. As for actual transformation of your attitudes and ambitions, well...we're no Christ.

So what I'm saying is this: don't be surprised when self-proclaimed Christians disappoint you with their 'ungodly' behavior. They haven't been told that discipleship is not an option.

This, of course, must change, and the change must start with you and me. Was it Ghandi that said, "You must be the change you want to see"? Well, before Ghandi, one of our people said that judgement must start with the household of God. If you want the world to change, the church must be transformed. If you want the church to be transformed, then you must be transformed.