I was sitting in a restaurant one day when I overheard a man talk about how he couldn't find a church where he felt truly welcomed, he described the body of the church as judgmental and arrogant. As he continued to talk about his frustrations, my heart broke into a million pieces. So, this one goes out to the man sitting behind me at Chilies.
Dear stranger,
I'm sorry that my religion has made you feel this way. Im sorry that the people who preach about a God of love has made you feel unworthy. I'm sorry you've felt left out by a church who claimed to have open doors. But I want you to know this, that's not who God is. Christianity is not about judging those who sin differently than you. Being a christian is not about being the one who has made the least amount of mistakes. Christianity isn't about having a bible verse in your Instagram bio, or always raising your hands during worship. Christianity is not about acting better than anyone else. Christianity is about being brought to our knees in awe that God could send His Son to die for our mistakes. It is about seeing how dirty our sin is, but also seeing how beautiful God's grace is. Christianity is about loving others because Christ first loved us.
I'm sorry that a church never welcomed you. The church should be a healing place for the broken. A place where you can fall apart so God can pick you up, piece by piece. As a christian, I have made myself look so well put together, like I had it all figured out, but then I formed my relationship with Jesus. I was broken down and God was there to pick me up. He showed me the importance to find a church that isn't like a museum of well put together people, but people who are all being pieced back together by the ultimate artist. People who encourage growth and see more than just a sinner. People who encourage me to face my sins head on. God wants us to face our weaknesses with full faith that He will pull us thorugh. I don't have to shove my sins in a tiny corner and act like they aren't there. I boast in my weaknesses because I know about this beautiful thing called grace. I realized that I should never have to hide my flaws and sins, because my relationship with God doesn't depend on me being perfect. It depends on Jesus and His grace.
Thank you for helping me see the difference between religion and a relationship with God. Religion has become this behavior modification, it looks pretty on the outside but it never reaches the core of a person to change their very being. It's like playing dress up, like saying I play baseball for the Atlanta Braves just because I own a jersey.
While Jesus wore the crown of thorns and with blood dripping down His face, He was thinking of you. He was hung on the cross for nothing He did but everything we have done. He cares for you more than you. So, don't let your encounters with these people turn you from Him.
Always remember that Christ won't fail you like Christians will. Christ won't tell you that you aren't "good enough" to be His friend. Christ wants you to accept His love, run into His arms, and believe in His truth. I'm sorry Christians aren't acting like Christians should. I'm sorry if I have failed you as well. But, God won't and don't give up on Him because of someone else. He cares for you, loves you and thinks you are to die for.
Love,
your fellow sinner
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To my fellow Christians: Welcome everyone with open arms. Don't judge a person on how big their sin is. There is no sin that's bigger than the other. God see's it all the same. Open your arms to the broken people. Embrace every part of them. Resemble Jesus and His love for every single human being.
