Thots From Ruth

In today's religion page of the Longview News-Journal there was an AP article concerning Ruth Graham, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham. Ms. Graham shared her struggles through the years with various family and personal issues and spoke of the feeling of not being able to share her feelings and needs. She made a statement from which I cannot get away : "Once we're in the church, we pretend all the sinners are on the outside. We want to keep the rules, and when we can't, we become shameful and pretend we have it all together. The world is tired of plastic Christians, I was tired of being a plastic Christian. I told everybody I had it all together, and I was falling apart. And I was scared to death to tell somebody."
What a terribly sad indictment of the very fellowship that it's founder based on love, forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. He believed in these basic principles of relationship so much that He gave His life so that everyone might have forgiveness and share His love, compassion, and understanding!
How many more Ruth Grahams are there that sit on pews each Sunday and "pretend," when inside they are hurting, depressed, disappointed, and disillusioned? They are indeed plastic Christians. The article told of a book written by Ms. Graham entitled, "In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart." I can't wait to purchase and read it!
More times than I care to remember I have had individuals in my office who were struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction (mostly opiates) who would nervously look around and through tears say, "No one can know I'm here. I'm a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, etc. and if my church ever found out they would never have anything more to do with me." I cannot fathom the callousness of hearts that would treat a fellow, "Brother or Sister" in such a way!
Hurting and broken hearts come from many areas of life. Everything from family hurts, divorce, finances, addiction, depression, loneliness, pornography, and the list goes on. For these Christ died! His love and compassion should enable and empower the church to allow them to share their hurts and frustrations, and accept them in His name!
Another thought crossed my mind as I noted the title of Ms. Graham's book, "not only in every pew sits a broken heart, but often in the pulpit stands a broken heart." Too many times over the past few years ministers have told me how fortunate I was to have an education in another career. Far too many have said, "Len, if there were anything else I could do, I would." They feel barricaded behind the sacred desk, no one to confide in and feeling trapped in spirit and soul. Sunday after Sunday the plastic comes out and the amens and hallelujahs resound, and yet there is still a hollow aching and no one to tell.
There must be healing in both the pew and pulpit! It can only come when the facade of "plastic Christianity," is dropped and we are allowed to feel our feelings and open our hearts to each other for the healing balm of Christ to flow and bring peace and joy in the place of our desperation and personal griefs.
Larry Crabb wrote a book a number of years ago entitled, "The Safest Place on Earth." The church, the living body of Christ, must be the "Safe House," "The City of Refuge;" and open itself unconditionally so that truly, "whosoever will may come!!!!"
Whatever hurt or pain you are now suffering the true body of Christ is open to you. A very small, infinitesimal part of it resides in Kilgore, Tx. and if you ever need someone to talk with and just share in the love and compassion of Christ, feel free to drop me an email or give me a call. I will listen, I will pray, and I will love you unconditionally! The plastic can be broken away and the healing balm applied! There is life, joy, and happiness after the plastic is broken!!!