Angel of Faith

I saw my faith today. And I didn’t help him; didn’t ask what he needed – I just shooed him away.

I saw my faith today and I dreamt about him last night. In my vision he was strong and confident, handsome and smiling at me. He was sitting on a bench as if waiting for the bus. I smiled and said hello. And when I turned again to point him out he had gone away.

I saw my faith today and I know it was him. In my lament the day before I had asked to see my faith just as Jesus had seen from those he’d healed. It was not ironic that he should appear today when I’d only just asked of him yesterday.

I saw my faith today and I didn’t even recognize him until it was too late.

He laid on my lawn, face to the fence, disheveled and a bit mismatched. Glasses covered his eyes from the light but not any light that shined from me. I told him my lawn was not the place to be. “Ok,” he said. “Ok?” I asked. “Yes, I’m Ok,” he replied and still I let my light hide.

I saw my faith today and regretted I’d left him once I got about a block away. I turned to return and ask how I could help or ask of his need. But when I was back my faith was nowhere to be seen.

I saw my faith today and I know it was him. I had asked to see where my faith lacked, and when I had the chance I forgot to ask and it was too late by the time I came back.

I saw my faith today and if he was just a bum, I met him not with love but instead with fear. I didn’t even ask of God to listen to what He would have me hear.

I saw my faith today and treated him with disgrace. If compassion had prevailed I would have treated him with God's sufficient grace.

I saw my faith today and gave him no compassion for his strength. My faith is weak and wanting and my fear keeps him from growing and showing what he’s capable of. I canceled his chance to do what he could, if I would have just show a little bit of love.

I saw my faith today and in my fear, I didn’t listen and couldn’t hear. And when I could have helped; could have given him increase, instead I sent him away.

Dear Faith, come back and if you will, with compassion I will generously add to your lack. And if I see my faith again someday – oh, Faith – Dear Faith, I pray; next time I’ll not send you away.

CONDEMNATION

Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Really? Well, there shouldn't be. At least not amongst ourselves. If there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, why then do so many believers suffer such condemnation - especialy and mostly from other believers?

It's like when my mom would tell me to let my son do something I had already told him he couldn't. When I complained to her that she'd never had let me when I was his age and how could she go against my word - she told me that her father had done it to her and she didn't like it either.

As for the church, this situation is definitely not at all like dealing with a 4 year old and a grandmother handing out candy. No, in the church we're talking about what seems to be a public flogging - not for sin, but perhaps for disobedience or a misunderstanding, rumors, cliques or a bad message from a new minister. And in this public execution the convicted is given no trial, no defence and no opportunity for explanation. And not only that, the accused must take it without flinching, expression or complaint, I might add!

It's as if our church leaders and elders have suffered such condemnation themselves that they feel it is their duty and obligation to pass the buck.

Well, the buck stops here!

As a manager at AT&T (and a good one, I might add), I didn't much care for the trickle down theory. So long as my team was doing their job (and doing it it well, I might add), then whatever mess upper-management wanted me to harrass my team with, stayed right with me and they never heard it. Some management techniques are just unnessary in order to get the best out of your team.

Wouldn't it be nice if it were mandatory for Pastors and church leaders to attend the same management courses I did?

I think perhaps they hold on to Titus 1:13: "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;" as a justification for being harsh. But this scripture in Titus, let's not forget, is talking about the "many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake."

And so, if you go this route, be sure of it's usage, I might add - because, what goes around comes around... or in more biblical terms, you reap what you sow.

Or maybe the leaders are kind-of partial to a scripture in 1 Timothy chapter 5 as their justification. Verse 20 says: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." I get the rebuke before all part - but still, this scripture is talking about sin, people! And the bible is clear about what sin is. And, last I checked not being decent and in order is not listed as a sin.

Now, don't get me wrong I am not in anyway advocating disobedience amongst the church leadership. The bible does say to do things decently and in order and so that is what we must do. And there are requirements of leadership that are expressed in God's word that must be adhered to. Leadership must provide a specific example and must be accurate in their teachings and most not fall prey to spirits of gossip, lying or deception. Duh, sounds obvious to me.

But what seems not to be so obvious within the church, is how best to deal with such common needs of correction (that exist within and outside of the church, I might add).

But gee, I seem to remember a scripture about going to an individual first and if they don't listen and repent, then go before the church, then take it to the leaders. Hhmm...

Listen, all lessons are for the greater good - without a doubt. But some lessons are to learn what to do and others are to learn what NOT to do. All I can say is I know what I will NEVER do.

Never have, never will. The buck stops here - for me, there is and will not be any condemnation (at least not publicly) for them that are in Christ Jesus - and under my leadership, I might add.

Power, love & peace, People!
~Min. Dez