a mess.

The following popular tendencies are just a few things that have been on my heart and in my mind lately. I just want to share with you what I've been seeing and hearing and thinking about and praying through in the past few months within the church body. As my fiance gently reminded me, mere talk solves nothing. The Lord is the One Who moves the people to action.

- 1 - Adopting attitudes that are negative toward one another or perpetuating gossip.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." --Philippians 4:8-9

"He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip." --Proverbs 20:19

"He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles." --Proverbs 21:23

"Lord, you have searched me and you know me..." --Read Psalm 139

When people get together in any form or fashion, the outcome can be summed up by one word: MESSY. It's rough, it's awkward, and most times feelings get hurt. But if you find you're the one doing damage often, then examine what's going on at your end.

It is much easier to hold your tongue and be humble, meeting the person where they are without judgment, than it is to win back that person's trust. This may be common sense to some people. I remember when it suddenly dawned on me that I had mortally wounded a friendship and there was no going back. Apologies were said but the damage was done, and I was sole beneficiary of my actions.

Gossip is just as ugly. I've got the stories to prove it but a gossip betrays a confidence. The Word of the Lord is full of reasons why gossip and lies and distorted truth are intrinsically linked, what to expect from an unbridled tongue, and much more.

On the other hand, holding onto hurt feelings and negativity only serves to create bitterness and anxiety. Read up on Psalm 139! I highly recommend memorizing it. You ARE fearfully and wonderfully made by a Creator who cherishes you completely.

- 2 - Feelings of entitlement and "rights."

"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." --Romans 12:3-5

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved." --1 Corinthians 10:31-33

"But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." --1 Corinthians 12:24b-26

We are all part of the body of Christ. We need each other but we do not have control over each other. We work together under the leadership of Christ. He alone calls the shots. United, under God. Sound familiar? Right, because each of us has different backgrounds and different talents -- but our goals should be the same: bringing God glory.

- 3 - Opting for the easy way out.

"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our god whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up'." --Daniel 3:16-18

In this day and age, everything is made to be speedily cooked, easily stored, quickly gathered, without toil or perspiration. Even the sense of accomplishment is too quickly dismissed. At the register, the person ringing you up for groceries couldn't do the simple calculations required to reward you correct change for large bills if the power suddenly shut off. Movies and television shows capture rapid movement and speech, sequencing shorter clips together in an quick arrangement to give viewers an adrenaline high while failing to provide a plot rich in quality and imagination.

We're surrounded by a world that makes sense out of what comes natural, what is easiest to attain.

Most times, when faced with adversity, the easiest thing to do is to run away. If you're facing a situation like the one Joseph did, then by all means flee! However we demonstrate our love for Christ to a watching world when we love our enemies. When we stand up for the Truth, our character and hearts shine through the darkness.

Consider the plight of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Remember what happened in response to their obedience to and fear of God? "He is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken," declares David (Psalm 62:6).

- 4 - Not committing to a home church or integrating into the body of Christ.

Read Ephesians 4.

Okay, this might seem trivial, but it holds great significance.

I've noticed that lately the new trend is to attend more than one church, full-time. For one reason or another, we have lost sight of what the goal of church is.

What is the point of attending church? It is not an avenue to increase ourselves but rather to bring attention to the only One Who is worthy of our praise. As John the Baptist said of Christ in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." When we forsake the goal of building the body of Christ and pursuing others in His name, in order to better ourselves or give ourselves the best, then our focus is not on Christ but rather on ourselves.

Stop looking for a place that will fulfill your personal needs. Commit to one church body. Actively seek ways to build up the people around you, to encourage and love them as Christ would, to grow together in humility and truth. Don't be content to merely play "bench warmer." Get out in the field!

In order for the church body to begin looking like a body, the eyes can't just up and walk away to another part of town. Besides, how will the body work without sight? Pick a church body to plug into and begin to actively serve. Expect it to be messy.

For those worried about integrating into a new church body... It's already a reality: We're united as part of one Body, a church without walls and regulations and proper places. A church where there is only one head and that is of Christ. Why worry what others think of you? Use your God-given gifts and talents to bless them instead. Give praise to the Lord in all you do!