I am tired.
Physically, I'm tired because this past weekend, I helped lead a youth event. I was a leader to 5 wonderful 6th grade girls, who grew and laughed and loved each other and God this weekend. It was basically one big sleepover, and it was a blast. But I'm not a 12 year old girl anymore. They have way too much energy, those girls! Haha just kidding, I loved them all and miss them terribly.
But I'm also still tired. Spiritually.
The theme of the weekend was "One". The youth focused on the fact that we, as believers, are the body of Christ. As such, we are called to be united with one another. We are called to love, support, and forgive, no matter what.
And this is why I'm tired. I'm tired of the representatives of Christ around me fighting among themselves.
It's no wonder we are mocked, ridiculed, and judged for our faith. Because how can we represent a single Kingdom, a single purpose, when we're so split.
I'm tired of grudges held between brothers and sisters. I'm tired of nasty looks, eyerolls, whispered secrets, even if they're "totally true". I'm tired of mistrust, hurt, sighs, frustration.
I'm tired of being distracted in the worship of my God because someone else is casting a piercing glare at me, or my friend. I'm tired of being worried to speak up for worry of rocking the boat.
I'm tired of he said, she said, they said, I said.
I'm tired of it all.
We are the body of Christ. Do you really think Jesus went around glaring at his own left hand or kicking himself in the butt with his foot? I don't.
But I also realize I've been part of the problem. I'm not perfect. I've held some grudges and judged unnecessarily And, when I've noticed a problem, I haven't spoken up. I sat quietly, awkwardly, waiting for the moment to pass.
Well, no longer. I'm not acting out of anger, but out of love. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. And a family should not fight. A kingdom should not be divided and splintering. The church should be one, with one purpose, one mission, one goal. And our goal is to spread the kingdom of God here on earth. We are to go and make disciples of all nations. And we cannot make disciples if we are fighting and arguing and glaring.
We are one in Christ. So why don't we start to act like it?
