Ever been on a mission trip? Ever been on one where you didn't know anyone else there? Those may just be the best kind. All comforts have been removed, even social ones. It's on trips like these that I think I've gotten a glimpse of the true, what Augustine called "invisible," church. On a couple of trips I've been with people from all over the country. Different cultures, different perspectives, and different experiences that they brought to the table. I find it enlightening to think about how much unity there was in such a diverse group. Kindness and grace was abundant. It seems as if everyone was just looking for ways to encourage and find the good in their teammates.
But on one particularly long trip I found that within 5 weeks or so we began to get comfortable with each other. Then small irritations started happening, followed by conflicts. Now, I'm not so idealistic as to think that we can rid the human race (or even the church) of selfish conflict, but I think there is an important lesson to be had in this story.
Whatever our individual motivations, when the trip began, we were thinking of our other teammates. How can we encourage? How can we learn about them? What do they like/dislike? Who is this person? And, in affect, almost subconsciously we were NOT thinking about ourselves by being genuinely interested in others.
What if we could capture this same grace and encouragement in the local church? What if our inclinations were toward considering others before ourselves when we met together as the body of Christ?
My experience has been that some truly do exhibit such a Christlike attitude while others find the frailty of other believers too disappointing and either (in most cases) disconnect from true, meaningful relationships, or they become cold and contentious. It is a sad reality that much of the church today is missing out on one of the most fulfilling activities God has ever created. It's Acts 2 fellowship. It's selfless and truly loving.
Brothers and sisters, let us take on this attitude of Christ and speak to one another with love that comes out of a pure heart. If you've never experienced such relationships, I would challenge you (no matter your age) to go on a mission trip that takes you away from all your comforts, especially your social ones. Then come home and live it out in your local body of believers.
In Christ,
Andy
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