Are WE a Safe Place?

I just spent an incredible weekend at a gathering with some dear friends. Many of them I have known for years. Others I met for the first time. With each of them I discovered a safe place. A sense of belonging, community, and encouragement. Which begs the question for each of us: Are WE a Safe Place?

What we do out of opportunity, the early church did out of necessity. You have to understand the environment that the 1st Century Church was birthed into. They were outcasts. Rejects. Rebels. The world was not affirming, and the community was not accepting. The more they grew, the greater the hostility toward this movement. While many of them eventually had to gather in secret, it is what they found in community that made all of the difference. This place...these people...were a safe place to become.

When the writer of Hebrews admonished the followers of Christ to continue to assemble, he was not creating a standard to be adhered to. I believe he was reminding them of the safe place they had with one another. It was here in this community that they would have freedom, encouragement, and receive strength in the journey. Outside of this community there were no guarantees. Many of them had already lost homes. Some of them had been driven out of their townships. Others had lost jobs, prestige, and any sense of belonging. It was with the brethren that they were reminded of who they were and what they were living for.

Why would the church of today be any different? They were not gathering to be told how worthless they were. They were not joining together so someone could take a platform and let them know how they were a miserable excuse for a Christian. They came to have life and have it more abundantly among one another. It was here that they could practice their faith without hindrance. Without fear. In fact, when you read about the correction that Paul brought to many of these churches you will find that he was dealing with those who would spoil this environment. Favoritism. Immorality. Schisms. Gossip. Backbiting. A Lack of Love. Grievances. Unforgiveness. All of these things would bring great damage to the Body. Not to mention the legalists who would show up and make them feel lack. It was those who crept in who sought to disrupt the safety of these gatherings that Paul was dealing with. The Church was meant to be a safe haven. A place of strength. A place of becoming.

Would they deal with issues? Absolutely!
Would they bring correction? In a heartbeat!
Would they love deeply? No question!
Would they walk alongside them? Without hesitation!
This is the church that we long for. The community to which we desperately want to belong. A place of healing. Where we can learn to overcome, discover more and more of the goodness of God, and learn what it means to live life well. A people where love has taken root and permeates everything that we say and do.

How do I handle those who sin differently than me? What is my response (or reaction) to those who have wallowed in the darkness of this world? What is my heart to the brother/sister who struggles? Shame? Condemnation? Judgement? Or am I willing to allow love to cover a multitude of sins? Will they find a safe place in me? Will they finally be able to come out from under all of the judgement that they have heaped upon themselves? The questions are endless. Who will I be for the broken, the outcast, and the lost?

Speaking of Jesus, Isaiah said that "a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice." It is in this Spirit where we learn what true community is all about. Where we discover family. As I type these words I am reminded of a song I heard many years ago. In the chorus it asks this question, "Why do the chosen kill their wounded?" Has the world not seen enough infighting? Have they not witnessed our disapproval of one another? Read our blogs, listened to our sermons, or watched our videos where we disavow our brothers and sisters for their differences? They do not see unity among us. They experience firsthand the lack of love among the brethren. Where is their safe place if it is not with us?

With all of that being said, I still believe that the best days of the church are ahead of her. I believe that there is an awakening among us. Where the Spirit is working to ignite the flame of Koinonia in our hearts. Seeking to create the community that the Father has longed to see in the Earth. A real game changer in the Kingdom. It will take time, but I see pockets of it all around the globe. I have met people from various states and countries who have no other agenda but to see this culture take root so they will be a safe place in their nation. It's beautiful! Full of life and love. Excited to witness the heart of the Father in every person. Ready to experience the fullness of life that can only be discovered in Him.

This is the sound of sons coming home. May we hear their cry. May they find shelter and security in us. As we walk in the fullness of the Father's love, may they experience true community among us. May they find a safe place for becoming.