The body, not a building…

What is the Church?
And is it a “make-you-or-break-you” life decision to attend?
Is church a building with pretty stained glass windows, or a choir of believers Praising the God who created them?

Before I left for this journey to Malawi, I sometimes “dumbed down” the gospel, hid my light under a bushel…
But now, the prayers of my supporters are coming to fruition in my life. I asked for people to pray Id be BOLD for Christ, and
BOLD in general. Jesus was Bold when He performed Miracles, and we can also be BOLD when we trust in Him.

I found myself walking…. where was I going, I don’t even remember, but 3 guys, (about my age) were passing me. I greet them in their native tongue and
surprised they laugh and say, “You know chichewa?!” Just a little caught off guard, they replied and there we stood for the next 25 minutes becoming
acquainted with one another. In those 25ish minutes, I was able to learn quite a bit.
Mike,
Michael
and
Maclean.
They love God, they believe in Him, and know Jesus, however none of the worship services they’ve attended taught them something new, or challenged them to know God
Deeper.
…..
It was one of those situations where I did not fully understand why we crossed paths, but THANKS BE TO GOD, I am so happy it did.
They are my friends now, we meet for nightly chats about
life,
education,
music (michael is obsessed with the rock music on my IPOD)
tv, cartoons,
art,
nature,
photography,
food (mostly bc I bring it up),
politics,
and
Faith.
I am continually challenged by my purpose in life, and how I represent myself and Christ to the world around me. One of my goals set out for my journey here was to be
BOLD for Christ.
Not
only for me, but for the sake of Christ, and for the sake of the lost. And it is also not for me to brag or boast about, but for me to be a challenged, humble and kind servant for
Christ, and others.

Many Christians are proud, and do boast, for they act as if sharing Christ is a thing to tick off of their “to-do list.”
However, the Jesus I know and the Jesus that is real in my life —
lived
LOVE.
Love is not just something to say, or a feeling, but its an action, rather a lifestyle.

In the states, my home community of believers live on the word that CHURCH is not a building, but a body of believers.
Jesus says in Matthew chapter 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”…That is the Church.
So that day, I met Mike, Michael and Maclean, and got to understand their faith, we confirmed we are the body. We are the church.

Only if we Christians prayed continuously, repent for the hate we have for others and emulate Christ, can we house the homeless with a place to call home, spiritually.
Practically speaking, let us commit to prayer, love, and
living like Christ for this
might be the only way to reveal Christ to people who are searching. (or the
only way to reopen their hearts to really search for a place to grow deeper in their faith.)

I am thankful to the people in my life who encourage me to grow in my walk with God; learn more about the Word, rely on Scripture, love the poor as a lifestyle,
and
be the hands and feet of Christ.
Pastors,
Friends, old and new,
Activists,
Sisters,
Fellow Travelers,
Roommates, former and present,
Enemies,
Cell group friends
and
Children.