The Church

I was sitting in New Student Orientation at my new school today and as I was listening to a story about the miraculous growth of an underground church in Asia it dawned on me that the problem with American church (well.. not the fundamental problem, but a huge one nonetheless) is that we have forgotten what it means to suffer. Look at how quickly these underground churches are flourishing. American bodies are, more often than not, dead or dying. Our "cross" that we "bear" is taking time out of our chaotic schedules to be involved with our local church, not realizing what an amazing gift this actually is. The church all over the world is suffering severe persecution and martyrdom for the cause of glorifying our Maker and yet the majority of Christians in America, including myself, don't even make evangelism a part of their weekly schedule. We use excuses like 'well I'd rather do it in a setting with people I know." Good! make sure the people you are closest to know how worthy God is of praise and exaltation. Then take a big step and do WHATEVER it takes to glorify God, even if it means taking a step out of your little Southern Baptist box. If that means seemingly making a fool of yourself on every street corner in the city, DO IT, and remember that these sufferings probably will not lead to your death, but they will most certainly bear fruit of some sort (visible and presently obvious or not). There is huge growth in suffering and their is also HUGE GLORY! This is glory that our Holy Father is sooo deserving of.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. --- 1 Peter 4:13