For in the day of trouble he will keep me
safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in
the shelter of his sacred tent and set
me high upon a rock.
~ Psalm 27:5, NIV
This past spring, a friend of mine told me a heart-wrenching story about school-yard abuse. Her nine-year-old cousin was bullied by a group of children who took his clothes away, leaving him naked on a cold winter day.
Humiliated, the young boy ran away hoping to find someplace to hide. Finally finding comfort in the shield of a snowbank, he hid himself the best way he knew how. Naked, ashamed and alone, he froze to death.
Ever since I heard that story I've been reminded of the separation that we see every day among the body of Christ. It grieves me. People who have been hurt by the church are hiding in the best way they know how.
We are sinful, broken beings made perfect only by His infallible grace. But we hurt. We wound, and we bully, and we hurt those people God loves. Among the body of Christ, as with any group of people you will find those who are still growing in grace. Faulty, imperfect, human beings who await their final day of perfection.
Intentional pain? No. But still somehow it happens as every week we see people leaving their congregation because they are covering wounds that won't heal.
Naked, ashamed and alone we run for cover in the best way we know how. Some of us come back to the body of Christ, while others unfortunately never return.
If you are in that place of separation and pain, I urge you to return to home base. Cling to a body of believers that will lead you toward a deeper walk with the Lord. A body of believers that will encourage you along and uplift you in prayer. You, me--all of us need to look past the imperfections in each other to focus on the perfection of an infallible God.
Bringing life to the lost and shelter to those who seek refuge, He will not disappoint; He will not let you down; and He will not cause you pain.
Run to Him, find shelter in His wing of protection, and cling to His glorious name--that's the safest place that any of us can go.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower:
the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
~ Proverbs 18:10
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene
For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net
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Looking for a speaker for your conference or women's group? Click hereThe name of the LORD is a strong tower:
the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
~ Proverbs 18:10
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene
For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net
In participation with:
Find Time-Warp Wife on facebook: Click here
If you would like to have Time-Warp Wife delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here: Subscribe to Time-Warp Wife
Today and every Tuesday, I want to invite bloggers to link-up any blog posts that will encourage women to joyfully live out their roles as wives and keepers of their homes I'm looking for posts on marriage, parenting, housekeeping, or recipes.
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