2 Timothy 3:5 …having a form of godliness buy denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Today I watched a documentary titled Sustainable. It was a great movie about sustainable farming and the health and hopeful comeback of the local farm. As I was watching, I began to think about the high yield farms that are pretty much the norm in today’s agricultural world. These farms produce acres upon acres of a select few crops and “specialize” in those crops. The result is soil that is depleted of many essential nutrients that make a plant healthy enough to fight off disease and insects. The crops they are producing are mostly genetically modified to be able to withstand the spraying of pesticides, namely Round Up. They are Round Up ready crops.
Now look to the sustainable organic farms and you will see a much different picture. These healthy farms grow a variety of different crops, and in the case of the farm featured in the movie Sustainable, they work hand in hand with the local chefs to determine which crops to grow. The soil is healthy, and because their crops are not as massive, they can hand pick their yield and they have a connection to the food they are growing and harvesting. And as it turns out, their yield is comparable and sometimes better than the factory farms when you compare plant to plant.
Sadly, as I was watching this movie I began to think about our modern churches. When I picture the average mega church, I see a high yield farm. The yield of believers, salvations, baptisms, etc., is high but what about their soil? Is the soil, the foundation of their church healthy? Is it able to fight off disease and the swarming insects that seek to destroy from within? The answer is that some mega churches are healthy from the foundation up, but others are concerned only with the yield that leads to the money. So what is the difference between a healthy church and one that is not so healthy? I believe it is the same as the local farm. The key is to be well rounded, to work with the local people, to plant a variety of seeds and not focus on only one or two types of crop. For example, if a church is focused on salvations and ignoring discipleship, the foundation will be depleted of the necessary nutrients it needs to thrive long term.
The same problem can be found in many small churches, but on an opposite scale. Many small churches are like a family farm that grows enough crops and raises enough animals to feed their family and that is all. Their soil is healthy and well rounded and nutrient dense, but it is confined to only their family. This is not the purpose of the gospel. We are to spread the gospel, not confine it to a small group of people. Just as food is to be shared when we have a surplus, the gospel is to be shared out of the surplus of the Love, Grace, and Mercy of Jesus that we experience daily.
We need to rid ourselves of our Round Up Ready Gospel and become more diverse, more well rounded. Only then will we experience a healthy, thriving, and growing foundation to build the kingdom of God.
What kind of church to do you attend? How healthy is your church’s soil? How healthy is your own soil?
Day 57 started out rough. I was not feeling well when I woke up. I was nauseated and tired. I drank some tea and allowed myself time to just lay in bed and watch Netflix rather than doing the chores I had planned this morning. I watched the movie Sustainable that I mentioned earlier, and it was really good. If you have any interest in sustainable farming, sustainable food, or sustainable living, you should check it out. You can find out more info at the movie’s website.
I didn’t eat much today because I didn’t feel well, but I made a smoothie to take to work. I am feeling a bit better this evening, so I am hopeful that I will be back to normal tomorrow.
Anyway, this is Day 57 bowing out.
Be Blessed!
Living Wholly Holy 