Years ago, Ironman used to wear nice Dockers, pressed shirts, a tie, and a sport's jacket to preach in on Sunday mornings. The church, at the time, was dissatisfied with his appearance and he was, unexpectedly, given a (generous) gift to purchase two tailored suits to be used for leading, preaching, and teaching. At the time, we were told there was a certain image the church wanted to portray through its leaders.
PROFESSIONAL. SHARP. PUT-TOGETHER. BUSINESS-LIKE.
IMAGE...
We gratefully, and naively accepted the monetary gift, and did exactly what was expected. Without giving the "heart" a second thought, we melted into the church culture and polished everything we said, did, and wore. We wanted to be an asset and strength to the ministry of the church. If they believed Dockers, jackets, and ties were not enough, we listened. Tailored suits it would be.
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IMAGE...
Part of my church experience as a young person was within the Mennonite church culture. Women were expected to wear coverings on their heads, they only wore simple dresses or skirts, they didn't cut their hair, and they wore no make-up. I understand the beautiful honor for God many of these Mennonite women have in their hearts by following these traditions. I have GREAT RESPECT for those whose hearts are fully offered to God in this, their personal form of worship. As a young girl, I was told that women were to portray this image to others.
HUMILITY. SUBMISSION. SIMPLICITY. REVERENCE.
IMAGE...
Sometimes, though, tradition drowns the reason of why things are done, and the "heart" is forgotten. Sometimes, tradition becomes rules, and rules become a platform of pride where judgment of others, who don't do or believe the same, is accepted.
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IMAGE...
IMAGE...
Please don't hear me wrong. I know lives are being changed, needs are being met, and real ministry is happening within these churches- within the church as a whole.
GOD CAN MOVE AND SPEAK, AND LEAD AND GUIDE WITHIN *ANY* SETTING WHERE HE IS EARNESTLY SOUGHT.
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I don't write to offend those who wear suits, or jeans, or wear coverings, or have state-of-the-art worship services that put even Hollywood to shame. I am writing, because...
I AM CONCERNED THAT WE ARE TOO WRAPPED UP IN OUR IMAGES.
The church is consumed with image- and we are consumed with our own images. We get so wrapped up in doing and creating something to project for others to see and believe, that we begin to hide behind the facade. We have lost ourselves and lost precious parts of the church due to...
IMAGE...
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FRIENDS, WE HAVE FORGOTTEN.
WE HAVE FORGOTTEN TO COME AS WE ARE...
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Strip away your image, and fall at the feet of HIM who sees and knows you better than you know yourself. He doesn't want suits or dresses, or polished excellence.
HE WANTS YOU...
ONLY YOU...
Broken and cracked, threadbare and torn...
WE ARE ALL IMPERFECT...
COME.
If you are filled with shame or filled with pride, tattooed and tattered, weathered and worn, beat and bedraggled, empty or full...
AS YOU ARE...
COME.
If you are full of sorrow or full of joy, lost or found, confused or certain, at peace or in rags...
AS YOU ARE...
COME.
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GOD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IMAGE. HE CARES ABOUT YOUR HEART.
You are a beautiful mess to HIM. I am a beautiful mess to HIM. HE only wants me to come, and you to come.
COME AS YOU ARE...
"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
Hear HIS whisper and come...
