A Cut Above

Whilst driving, I saw the name of a local company written on a truck:  "A Cut Above Constructions."  Immediately I began chewing on an idea:  isn't that what everyone is looking for in anything?  We are always open to a better deal, and nothing is better than the best deal!  We want the best prices, service, quality, and value for money.  This same approach can be brought to the search for a home church.  There are people seemingly doomed to be church vagabonds, never connecting, always open to a better deal.  Wouldn't you want your church to be "a cut above?"  Who wouldn't?

I started thinking about my home growing up.  The idea of looking for a better deal doesn't work when it comes to "home."  I didn't have a choice who my parents or siblings were, where we lived, the design of our house, menu, what appliances we owned, or if the lawn mower had a bag attachment.  Now that would have been nice!  But seriously, I never thought of looking for a "better" family, house, or toys.  My parents loved me and I loved them.  I loved my brother and sister.  Even though we ate a lot of oatmeal for breakfast, there were always special mornings where we had waffles or pancakes.  It was only after planning to be married and to live with my future wife that I gave the thought of moving any earnest thought.  My motive in moving wasn't because I wasn't happy with my parents, siblings, or the food.  I had arrived at the time of life when God was giving me a wonderful wife and the responsibilities that come with starting a new family.

It occurred to me that I approached my home church in a similar way.  Since I was a child, I attended the same church my parents did.  After marriage, there was a season of change at the church and a new pastor came.  Some of our friends in the following years left for other churches, and there was a real temptation to go where they went.  But my wife and I were in agreement.  Until God specifically directed us to leave, we were called to stay.  Was everything perfect at our church?  Not hardly - just like at every church!  Wherever people are, problems are there too.  Were there some youth programs that were bigger or could boast more "dynamic" worship?  Sure.  There were churches with better floor plans, located closer to home, with stronger emphasis on a particular ministry or doctrine which may have seemed important at the time.  Had I checked in with you 5 or 10 years ago, I suspect what was important to you then was different than now!

Looking at church from a home perspective, how ridiculous it seems for people to leave their home church - the fellowship of believers with whom they worship and serve - seeking a cut above!  That would be like leaving your home because it does not have a pool or the TV is a bit small.  You might as well give up now if you are looking for perfection.  "Better" can always be found - that is until you discover better still!  Like those who are ever learning but never coming to the truth, people who are ever looking for a church to tick their arbitrary boxes never seem to land anywhere for long.  I am humbled and privileged to say I grew up in a home where people loved me, and I can say the same about church.  Yet even if your home situation is rough, God still loves you.  Instead of bailing from a tough situation, God would have you faithfully share His love right where you are until He specifically directs you to move - and the same is true of church.

No matter where God has you, as a Christian God has a divine purpose and plan concerning you right there.  Say your church has issues - what family doesn't have them?  Through the Holy Spirit you have the ability to endure and be part of what is vital, healthy, and strong in the church.  You cannot blame the pastor, people, or anything for your lack of growth or usefulness.  Those supernaturally occur when we submit ourselves to God and the authority He has placed over us, choosing to love even our enemies in obedience to His Word.  As Christians, we are not to have a "consumer" mentality always on the lookout for "a cut above," but seek to give, forgive, and love others even as God loves us.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 says, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."  I encourage you to show yourself faithful in attending and serving at your home church.  Regardless of what others are doing or how you feel, remain faithful to Jesus.  Trust and obey Him, praying for each other.  What joy God gives those who obey Him in not forsaking the assembling with other believers!  It is in Christ - not in a ministry or different church - where we discover the life that is a cut above all others.  It's not even close.