How many of you know there are a lot of 'sandpaper people 'out there – even in our churches?
There are people that seem to rub us the wrong way no matter what. There are people that seem to bring out the worst in your feelings, thoughts and sometimes, even your actions.
Here's the truth my friends.
There is no perfect ministry.
There is no perfect church.
There is no perfect pastor.
No one walking this earth is perfect.
There is only a perfect Savior of imperfect people –– Jesus Christ.
None of us are perfect and have it perfectly together all of the time.
We all make mistakes. We all say the wrong things at the wrong times. We all lack the perfection of God, his Son and the Holy Spirit. Let us learn to be more tolerant and focus on that which is good, rather than the imperfections in others.
Wherever you end up in church you will always find things that you like and things you do not like. There will be people who cause you to be inspired to follow after Christ with more passion and there will be people that stir your frustrations into immobility. Instead of walking to Christ more each day, we are caused to do nothing, but complain and search for something better.
There will be church services that delight you and those that disappoint, if we take our eyes off Christ and forget about the reason that we gather together in fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters.
Love is always the answer. Grace is always the answer. Truth is always the answer. Forgiveness is always the answer. Mercy is always the answer. None of these can be separated. They must work together for the good of God who has called us to be his followers.
We can label each other by unflattering terms and break of a particular fellowship looking for those who have “the right Spirit” or “a true passion for Jesus” only to continue to find imperfect people serving a perfect Savior. The grass will always appear to be greener elsewhere, but will always have something wrong with it for the simple fact that people are involved with it.
So be at peace and content where God has placed you. Learn to bloom where you are planted, instead of withering away and become bitter. Learn to overlook those you perceive to have imperfections and shortcomings and love them anyway. Here's another truth nugget, they are probably thinking the same things about you.
Be blessed.
These morning messages are now available by email. Simply write me with you email address at schneider.nick@gmail.com, and I'll be happy to forward them to your in-box. Also, all of the photos in my blog are for sale. Contact me for pricing.
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