This morning I was awake earlier than usual. So I did some thinking. And what I thought was this: Worry is putting our thoughts on the things of this world; prayer is putting our thoughts on the Person of Jesus Christ.
Then I thought about churches. And one conclusion I arrived at is this: Churches worry. Many churches today are worrying about finances, bills, attendance and the future. And, sadly, this anxiety is reflected in worship services. Instead of sermons proclaiming the greatness of God in Christ, the church receives weekly a message about giving and serving. These are not bad messages, but they cannot be the only message. Eventually, these messages tire out the congregation, because parishioners enter the sanctuary looking for solace from their personal worries and the hope of the Gospel; instead, pastors thrust the worries of the church and the cares of the world upon them.
The worry of the church belongs to Almighty Christ, but He is not worried. Christ is the faithful Bridegroom of the Church. He died for Her. He prays for Her. He is her head. He is Her faithful partner in this world and the world to come. Consider Ephesians 5:23, “Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.”
But here’s the problem: the church is worrying about worldly things instead of submitting to Her Savior in prayer, worship, the sacraments and Scripture reading and study. When the church kneels in prayer before Her Lord, she rises above Her worries through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The church can worry and be powerless or pray and be empowered by God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Photo By Joshua Eckstein
Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.
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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD
Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2