To the Lion’s Den and Back

This isn’t about adoption at all. Yesterday, the Lord gave me the honor of stepping into a lion’s den and surviving. I wasn’t unscathed, like Daniel, but I survived and am given the opportunity to learn.

This week is our one year anniversary of pastoring at our new church. Exactly one year ago I stepped into this foreign territory of being a pastor’s wife with hesitation. I’d spent the entire year before that arguing it out with God; letting him know that – without a doubt – He had not meant for this woman to be in such a role of leadership. “That pedestal isn’t large enough for these big feet,” I told Him.

Isn’t it so like God to make up His own mind?

The last year has been a thing of beauty and of growth. My family has benefited so much from our move, our time together, and the church we now call home. We love each other better, we communicate clearer, we spend more time with one another. Our church family has embraced us, accepted our strengths and weaknesses, or quirkiness, and offered a hand when we fall flat on our derrieres.

But back to that lion’s den. I’m no fool. I know that as humans we struggle with emotions like discontentment and jealousy. We are selfish in how we express our desires. We can steamroll over people and not even look back to make sure we’ve finished the job and they aren’t back there floundering around, dying a slow death. We are human. We are sin in the flesh. We are imperfect – that’s why we have Jesus. “Hi, my name’s Marian. And I’ve been steamrolling other believers for 8 years and 10 months.”

(All together) “Hi, Marian”

Let’s commit to stop this atrocity. We do not own God’s church.  No matter what our tithe is, no matter how many hours we volunteer, no matter if you are the pastor, his wife, a board member, a worship leader, a teacher, a janitor, or a nursery worker – we don’t own God’s church. It’s His. And it is nothing if these acts of service aren’t done with His attitude of love and servanthood. The Body is nothing if it doesn’t encourage one another to fulfill it’s purpose.

James and Titus address the same part of the body in different ways – the tongue. So, which part of the church is the tongue, that double -edged sword? I have a proposition….I believe it is the women’s ministry. Within the heart of every church is a band of sisters who have the ability to make even the most established Brides of Christ flourish or tumble.

James said the tongue is a loaded weapon. Gossip, discord, and insult have all originated from my tongue. Yes, the same mouth that praises God has slandered other followers of His son. Am I ashamed? You better believe it.

Titus challenges us ladies with other advice. Older ladies, encourage the younger ladies in their faith and marriages – and do it with love and because it’s the right thing to do. What would happen for the Bride of Christ if we chose to silence words not said in love? Because words – truth or not – have no business being said at if they aren’t spoken in love. Because even the shortest of statements have limitless destruction if not said with God’s love.

One word. One word and one woman was all it took for the fall of man.

“Here,” Eve said and Adam ate.

Do we see the burden of Eve’s toil to make things right? She stitched together fig leaves, sought a place to hide her shame from the Lord, mourned the death of her son, fought to create lush prosperity outside the garden. All preventable had she weighed the outcome of her actions against the magnitude of God’s love before she shared the forbidden fruits.

But back to that lion’s den. Should we be part of a church when it hurts? Yes. Should we return each Sunday, even if we feel underappreciated, disrespected, or isolated? Yes. Although, maybe you could find a different body to attach yourself to. What do we do when the wounds and scars begin to cloud out the beauty of Jesus? We continue on in love, asking God for enough of his Son to burn away those clouds.

The church is a beautiful place, and while not always safe – that’s part of the adventure…

I have been to the lion’s den, and while not unscathed, I have survived and have something to learn. This morning, the Lord and I sit and talk, I am showing him my wounds. He is commenting on the color of my bruises. I’ve asked him to bind up the gashes and heal them with minimal scarring.

“We can do this,” He whispers in my ear. “It will sting just a little, but don’t pick too much at the scab as it heals.” He wants me to be focused on the healthy parts of the body while he cares for the rest.

“Why will you still be struck down?
Why will you continue to rebel?
The whole head is sick,
and the whole heart faint.
From the sole of the foot even to the head,
there is no soundness in it,
but bruises and sores
and raw wounds;
they are not pressed out or bound up
or softened with oil.” (Isaiah 1:5-6)

~ by Marian Green on April 9, 2010.