God and the Baaken-Part 2

My previous post talked about people coming to the Baaken to find hope.  I can’t begin to imagine the hurt that many of these individuals feel having to leave their families, the comfort of their homes, and their support systems to start this journey.  It takes an incredible amount of strength to venture into the unknown and hope that it works because it’s your last shot.  I wish I could say that this community has been an example of how to be welcoming and accepting, but some of the things that I have seen posted on Facebook, written in the paper, and shared on online message boards have made me embarrassed to be from Williston, ND.  Are we in a position where building can’t keep up with demand?  Yes.  Are we in a position where the amount and type of traffic is hard on the roads? Yes.  Have we seen an increase in crime? Yes, although statistically, the amount of crime has not increased.  Do you need to plan your routes a little more carefully to accommodate for traffic?  Yes.  Can you go to WalMart and expect to find what you need and get out of there quickly?  Probably not.  The community is definitely experiencing growing pains. I am thankful for the leadership that is in place to help us through it. 

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of complaining about what is going on in the community and I have been guilty of it myself.  I try to keep it in check and stay positive.  After all, if standing in line longer than I have had to in the past is the worst thing that happens in my day, I’ll probably be ok.  Instead of lamenting over the fact, how about using it as an opportunity to be friendly and get to know someone new.  Let God speak to how He can use you to be welcoming.  If you aren’t in the Baaken, look for those opportunities where you are.

The Christian community has often been the Baaken.  God wants to do a mighty work in the lives of people and we waste time complaining about trivial things. Instead of fighting for souls, we fight about the color of paint on the walls.  Instead of coming together in worship, we complain about the song choices.  Instead of seeing a person crying out to God for forgiveness, we judge them for being at the altar again.  Instead of reaching out to the hurting, we expect them to be over the hurt because in our minds enough time has passed.  The Bible never changes.  God never changes.  The church changes because the needs in and around it change.  We have a choice.  We can sit back and complain about all the things that we don’t understand or we can trust that God has anointed people to lead us to a place where we epitomize His grace and forgiveness.  Step out of your comfort zone and ask God how He wants you to be the church.  Welcome people into the body of Christ.  They are looking for hope, but they won’t find it if all you do is complain.