Hurt by the Church, but not running away

By Catherine De Valence

In the past I have been hurt by the Church, by people who claim to be Christians but show me the examples and characters that contradict who Jesus truly is.

I have come to see that these things were allowed to cross my path so that I could be wary of my own actions and ways towards others. In judging we too are judged. I also came to realise that in our humanity — in our sinful nature — this is impossible to accomplish, but through God’s Holy Spirit — in a New Life in Christ — we can genuinely love God and one another.

In having been loved unconditionally by God, we can love others with his unconditional love. In facing our weaknesses and sins, acknowledging them and repenting of them, we can strive forth in the true image of Christ.

Many have left the church — the building —  because of disappointments and rejections by the Church — the people. I have found that in facing this negativity in the grace that God gives us, and in allowing God’s Spirit to change us from within, we can grow spiritually in his love, and be strengthened to overcome all obstacles.

Running away from the Church is running away from God himself. God uses the situations we find ourselves in as strengthening tools for the building up of his Kingdom here on earth. Instead of running away and seeking a change elsewhere, we should face these obstacles and seek to change inwardly, so that we can make some positive changes where we are.

The challenge to us is to love others beyond our ability to do so in God’s agape love, obtainable through Christ Jesus. Our humanity might let us down, but God’s divinity builds us up.