View From Our Place – “Through Us and In Spite of Us”

Here’s how mighty our God is.

People are saying all kinds of things in Jesus’ name. Some are true. Some are not. Some reflect His heart. Some reflect ours. But today I’m rejoicing that despite the noise, despite the confusion, despite the misrepresentation, Jesus is still building His church.

He didn’t say, “Y’all build my church.” He said, “I will build my church.” And I’m so glad He did. Because if it were up to us, if it depended on our consistency, our clarity, our unity, it would’ve crumbled long ago.

Frankly, sometimes what’s getting in the way of the church… is Christians. Sometimes the biggest obstacle someone has to overcome to get to Jesus… is us. Our over-simplification of complex issues. Our pride. Our politics. Our pettiness. Our need to “win.” Our fear of being wrong.

And to give you an honest view from my place, sometimes it’s not just “us.” It’s me. I am sometimes “them.”

Thank God for His grace! Jesus builds anyway. He builds through our brokenness. He builds around our blind spots. He builds in spite of our best intentions and worst moments. He builds with mercy, with patience, with power. He is the Star that carries the team on His shoulders.

So today, I’m not just grateful for the church – as it is, with all its warts – I’m grateful for the Builder. The One who sees the messes we make and the messes we are and still says, “Mine.” The One who doesn’t flinch when we fumble. The One who keeps building, brick by brick, heart by heart, grace by grace. Amazing.