WHY The 'WILDERNESS'?

WHY The 'WILDERNESS'?
-Andrew Strom.

The 'wilderness' is not a concept that is understood too well in
Christendom, despite the fact that it is all the way through the
Bible. From the book of Genesis right through Revelation there
are clear references to the 'wilderness' as being something God
often employs in His dealings with men. The pattern is undeniable.

When we look through the Scriptures we see that the wilderness
is often a place of spiritual "crisis" and also preparation. It is the
place God sends us before the "real action" begins - before we
enter into the full purposes of God in our lives. There must be
'death' before there can be resurrection. There must be a desert
place before the "promised land".

The wilderness is a place of trial and testing, of brokenness and
full surrender to God. The props and activities that have kept us
continually striving to "make things happen" are stripped away.
Our self-reliance is shattered and replaced with a total reliance on
God alone. Every "idol" in our lives (often including our own ministry)
is brought under the piercing searchlight of God. Our selfish motives
and ambitions are shown for what they are. This process may take
years. Finally we emerge broken, chastened and purified. The
process has matured and cleansed us in so many ways. We are
now ready for the fulfillment of all that God originally called us to
do. But our heart-motives are vastly different from what they were
before.

We see this pattern all the way through Scripture. Many lessons
can be learned from what we read there. Abraham, Joseph, Joshua,
Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the apostle - and even
Jesus Himself - all had to go through this "wilderness" experience.
Very often it lasted for years and years. Why then should we be
surprised if it happens to us?

Probably the best-known instance of a 'wilderness experience' in
the Old Testament is the story of Moses and the children of Israel.
Moses had been raised and trained all his life in the palaces of
Egypt. But when he came face-to-face with his heritage as an
Israelite, he rose up "in his own strength" and killed an Egyptian
slave-driver. He was then forced to flee into the desert, where he
was to spend 40 YEARS as a simple shepherd in the wilderness.
What an enormous length of time! Imagine if every Christian leader
had to spend that long in the wilderness before God would allow
them to lead His people! It is almost impossible to imagine the
depths of despair and "death" to all his dreams and hopes that
Moses went through during this time. In fact, after 40 years it is
hard to imagine anyone being "deader" to the usual ambitions
and temptations of leadership than Moses would have been. And
what PATIENCE these years of waiting must have produced in him!

We see here the lengths that God will go to in the "preparation"
of a leader "after His own heart." (-Though 40 years is unusually
long). The isolation, the chafing, the crying out to God for deliverance
- all play their part. Such an experience is almost irreplaceable.
That is why God uses it so often. The hearts of driven men are so
similar in so many ways, that God's "cure" becomes similar also!
He will even shut us up in a kind-of 'prison' for a time so we cannot
escape the process. It is that important. He does not want 'self'-
oriented leaders shepherding his precious sheep.

After his 40 years of preparation, Moses returned to Egypt at God's
command to lead His people out of bondage. This was the beginning
of the entire nation of Israels' wilderness experience. For when they
left Egypt the only way to their "Promised Land" was through the
desert. Some commentators say that in a straight line, their journey
could have taken just a few weeks or less. But because of their
disobedience and fear, the vast majority of those who left Egypt
were destined to die in the desert, never reaching the Promised
Land. In fact, their wilderness journey ended up taking 40 years!

Now we need to take special note of this fact:- Not everyone who
entered the wilderness survived it. In fact, multitudes perished there.
The wilderness tried them and found them wanting. They went to
the place of testing and failed the test. This is a pretty crucial fact
to realize in our day also. Just because we are "called out" and
enter a wilderness time, does not mean that we will embrace the
dealings of God and respond appropriately. It is entirely possible
to lose everything out there. These people lost out completely.
Only their children came through to inherit the promises of God.

How clearly we see this pattern over and over again - in both the
Old Testament and the New:- That many whom God wants to one
day use are sent into a place of aloneness and brokenness before
being brought into their true destiny. We have not even mentioned
heroes of God such as Noah, Jacob, Job and others who all had
similar experiences. Part of this process lies in the "waiting" that
takes place. Also, the fact that all the supporting 'props' are taken
away. The "waiting" alone can be torture.

The wilderness also deals with any fear of man or 'systemized'
way of looking at things. God often uses it to bring a whole fresh
perspective, which is very important for leaders who are going to
be representing a "new" approach or facing opposition because of
the confrontational words that they are bringing. The lonely desert
years give them backbone to stand up to the crowd or the powers-
that-be, and declare God's truth without compromise. They now
truly fear God rather than man. And they think differently from
others. The wilderness is vital for anyone who is wanting to bring
fresh manna to God's people.

Are you someone who has been going through such a "desert"
experience, my friend? Be encouraged! Look up, for your deliverance
draws nigh. God only ever sends His children through such
experiences when there is a great purpose to it. Don't give up. Don't
be cast down. On the other side lies a 'land of promise' if only you
can hang on to Jesus. Be active, be praying, be prepared. Don't
become "passive" and let the desert swallow you whole. Use this
time to draw closer and closer to Jesus. Dig down and plant your
feet firmly on the Rock. Humble yourself before the Lord and He
will lift you up in due time - if only you can cling to Him.

-Please comment on this article at the following website-

http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/

God bless you all.

Looking Forward To The Future

Looking Forward To The Future

It was a time when you were not woken up at 4 in the morning by the cry of a newborn baby. It was a time when there were so many new things ahead of you. Hopes, dreams...expectations. So much was possible. It was a time when you were dating or newly married with a new and wonderful road up ahead. You could not wait to begin walking it!

Yet as you have continued walking this road of marriage, the romance of the first moments started to become a little dull. Conflicts, pressures of life and a growing family can make you forget how you started this walk. Often you become so caught up in all of your problems and conflicts that you even forget to look at the wonderful things any longer.

This week I want to take your hand and walk you back down memory lane and then show you a much brighter future. Can you remember the first time you met? Perhaps it was a good time, perhaps not. But can you remember when you first felt that love for your spouse? The person you wanted to be with more than anyone else.

Yes, if you look back a lot has changed. You have changed, your spouse has changed and those memories might seem like wonderful fantasies now. You look at yourself in the mirror and you can tell that you certainly do not look the same way any more. You also know that inside, you are not the same person any more.

Well praise the Lord for that! Can't you see how much you have grown and changed as a couple?

I want you to go back and remember what it was like when you first met. Write down a list of qualities and impressions that you had of your spouse back then. Then fast forward and take a look at the qualities and impression that you have of your spouse right now. Can't you see how much they have changed? Over time can't you see how the two of you have now become one flesh?

Perhaps at the beginning it was all fantastic and you long back for those moments, but what you do not realize is that you are experiencing the greatest romance of your life right now. In fact the more you walk down this road the more wonderful the romance becomes! Why is that? It is because the more you walk this road together, the more you become one in the Lord. The more you know each other, the easier it is to share your heart and have something REAL.

The memories in the past are special to us all, but never forget that you are living the most romantic time of your life RIGHT NOW and...it will only get better. You and your spouse will have many more experiences together. You will learn more about one another each day and as you do, the greater your romance will become.

So remember the past and the special memories, then also hold on to the future, knowing that the best is yet to come. What you had back then was like a little seed that you planted. Yet as you matured, that seed began to flourish and develop into a beautiful rose, with a rich and beautiful fragrance.

Look forward to what is ahead and enjoy the moments you have now, realizing that the Lord has His hand on you and your marriage.

Practical Project

Why not put this lesson into practice!

1. Write down a list of qualities that your spouse had when you first met.

2. Write down a list of qualities that your spouse has now that are different from the beginning.

3. Finally write down one thing that your spouse did this week that you enjoyed, admired or thought was really good.

4. Finally send your spouse your list either by e-mail or on written paper and tell them how much you are looking forward to the future with them!

From Hero to Heretic

From Hero to Heretic by David Van Cronkhite
Why would a popular Jewish leader like Nicodemus risk his temple rank and his position and provision in society to sneak through the shadows to speak with the One who challenged every aspect of his world?

Why would a simple, struggling monk like Martin Luther risk his life to publicly provoke his church-his very livelihood and known salvation--and expose centuries-long errors and doctrinal presuppositions?

Why would a respected theologian like Dietrich Bonhoeffer place himself in the middle of Nazi Germany and go head to head with one of the most diabolical kingdoms to ever exist on earth?

Separated by hundreds of years and born into different political and social empires, these three theologians seem widely separated at first glance. But they had this in common: they were spurred in their hearts by the revelation that their true God had been shrouded by the religious system and traditions of their day. And everything within them eventually demanded that the real God--the One who loved even the losers and rebels unconditionally, was unflinchingly faithful and forgiving, and was compassionate, merciful, truthful and slow to anger--be revealed.

Welcoming the wrath

Their declarations placed their provision, their reputations, their lives and that of their families in harms way. Yet they welcomed the wrath of the cultural, political, commercial and religious systems even unto death.

Why in the world would they do that? What made them choose to become heretics instead of remaining the heroes of their day?

Luther saw the performance-based measures of the church. He saw that the word "faith" had been long forgotten. He saw the poor as the greatest victims, bowed under the burdens of injustice saddled squarely on their backs. And his church was the worst perpetrator.

When did it begin for Luther? Was it when he wept and agonized over the uncertainty of his salvation and the fear that God would not, could not embrace him? Was it when he saw his people believe the church's lies that they were still too poor, too sinful, too unlovely to be accepted by God unless they bribed Him?

Boenhoffer recognized how the church in Germany had so deeply compromised with the political, commercial, and religious systems, becoming more and more subjugated to the Nazi power. But he was a Father-pleaser. He joined a move to teach young men and women the uncompromised truth of God and His Kingdom, about faith and love, and the ways of the King.

Did Boenhoffer's revelation begin when he quoted Luther, "The curse of a godless man can sound more pleasant in God's ears than the Hallelujah of the pious"? Or did it start when he looked over the German people and had compassion on them because they were tormented by the systems and without a Shepard?

And the popular Nicodemus, the only one who actually talked with the man Jesus, saw Him look him in the eyes, and felt His breath. Did he realize then that he would one day have to stand alone among his Pharisee friends to defend Jesus? Did he understand then that his spirit could be born into a new life by the supernatural Seed of the One whose crucified body he would one day anoint with myrrh and aloe?

Like Luther and Bonhoeffer, Nicodemus, at some point, summed up what it would cost to continue to serve the kingdoms of his world. What he saw in Jesus was worth more than all of that. Church tradition says that he became a follower of Jesus and was martyred for his faith. Later, the church declared him a saint, but not before the kingdoms of the world labeled him a heretic.

Turning points

Is there a common turning point that changes heroes into heretics? For many, it happens somewhere among the long years of working their way up the systems, while the hole in their hearts that religion and knowledge were supposed to fill, grows larger and larger. Perhaps for others, it happens when they begin to see the glimmer of a Kingdom founded on Love and Justice, and that this Jesus in them has something to do with it. And they are gradually ruined forever when their spirits are stirred and awakened by the maturing Seed implanted within from above.

Jesus said flesh and blood is not our enemy. The systems of man, the kingdoms of the world, are. They are just as real and powerful as flesh and blood because they capture and enslave the flesh and blood that creates them. But God invites us, commands us to seek Him and His Kingdom first, and He will take care of us eternally.

It's significant that Jesus' first encounter after forty days in the desert seeking out His God would be a face off with Satan, the Evil One, the ruler of the world's kingdoms. But Jesus saw the kingdoms of the world and all their splendor and said, "Hell, no! You keep it. I have been given My own Kingdom and it is eternal, cosmic, of another world, and is the only one that cannot be shaken. Any can enter by the faith of a child."

The King started his public journey on earth by declaring his stated purpose: "I have come to proclaim my Father's Kingdom." Each day we have the choice--and temptation--to give our lives for man's systems rather than accepting the Kingdom that God so freely offers. What the prophets of old so desperately wanted to see, we can see now. What they wanted to be a part of, we can be a part of now.

Is this something that can happen by our giving mental assent to or must we have faith that something supernatural will take place that will utterly change us from the inside out? Well, a Seed will grow and mature in us so that when someone looks into our eyes they will find peace and joy, compassion and mercy, graciousness and forgiveness. They will sense His slowness to anger and truth from within and just know there is covenantal faithfulness.

It just takes faith and He is offering that grace to grasp the faith to be born supernaturally from above in a moment, followed by a lifetime of maturing and transformation on earth. He offers us the Seed of life, the Seed of Change, the Seed of AGAPE!

Oh, it will cost you everything. You will become a Father pleaser instead of a pleaser of man. The world will call you a loser, a misfit, and, yeah, a heretic, but it just won't matter. The only thing that will matter will be what mattered to the Son who came to do only His Father's will: to hear those two words, "Well done!"

The choice is ours individually as it was for Nicodemus, Luther, and Bonhoeffer. There is a kingdom at hand; the seed has been planted and we have been born from above. To receive it and let it grow will cost you everything. You may even turn into a heretic instead of a hero.

So, now, how should we then live?

David VanCronkhite David.VanCronkhite@gmail.com

Being the Neck

Being the Neck

Have you ever been to a chiropractor? I remember after months of working with bad posture in front of the computer, that someone suggested I visited one. They said it might help with the headaches I kept having. It was quite an experience! After a short time there, the problem was diagnosed. The joints in my neck were out of place. The doctor worked fast. There I was, flat on my back on his table; nice and relaxed. With one or two swift movements he pulled my neck into place and with one VERY LOUD... CLICK everything was in order again. The headaches stopped almost immediately and I suddenly felt alive again. I realized that even though my head hurt, the main problem was in my neck all along.

Have you ever heard this saying, "The husband is the head of the home, but the wife is the neck that turns the head?" It is a common phrase and a very true one as well. The man is responsible for the condition of his home. He is responsible to bring love into the home. Yet as the 'neck' it is up to you to bring stability and peace into the home with your submission and spirit of meekness.

The Word is so clear on this.

1 Peter 3:4 But rather the hidden qualities of the heart, which cannot be corrupted; a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. (GMRV)

Peter instructs wives to have a gentle and quiet spirit. He goes on to say that in times of old, great women not only made themselves beautiful on the outside, but also showed their inner beauty through submission as well.

So if you are stressed and upset, the gentle quiet spirit is gone and you are no better than my neck that needed a few adjustments. In the end you just give your 'head' a big headache, and everything falls apart. Just as a man has to introduce love into the home, it is your place as his wife to bring peace into the house. If there is strife and chaos, then you need to look at yourself and see where you can bring peace.

Next week I will share a little more on how you can tap into that peace within, but for now ask yourself this question:

"Am I a peace-bringer or just a pain in the neck?"

If you are brave you can ask your husband to answer this question for you! It is easy to blame your husband for everything that is going wrong in the home, but it is also up to you to bring order. Take your time to not only make yourself beautiful on the outside, but beautiful on the inside as well.

Put on some lipstick and a pretty outfit to welcome your husband home with tonight. Then commit yourself to bringing peace and joy into your home through your submission. Don't just apply the principles because you have to, but seek the Lord for a true spirit of submission and tenderness. As you set your heart to doing this, you will be surprised how easily it all falls into place.

In conclusion, let it be said by everyone who enters your home, that they feel the peace and love of Christ. Then you will also have this honor: Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband , and he praises her.
Many daughters have done valiantly, but you are greater than all of them. (Proverbs 31: 28,29 GMRV)

Being the Head

Being the Head

I had a headache the other night. It was just awful! It throbbed so badly I could just lie down and rest a little until it faded. That one little headache made my whole body suffer, and because of that I could not accomplish anything for the whole evening. Isn't it interesting that the Word speaks about the husband as being the head of his family in the same way that Christ is the head of the church?

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. (NIV)

When your head is not feeling well or fails in its task, it affects the whole body. What does this mean to you as the husband in your home? Well it is quite simple. It means that if your 'body' (your family) is out of order and things are in chaos, you need to look at yourself.

Imagine how silly it would have been that when my head hurt I started to beat at my body. Could you imagine me grabbing myself around the neck and saying, "What is the matter with you body? Come into order! Get up and DO something?" It is not my body's fault is it? It is just reacting to the condition of my head.

So when someone looks at the condition of your family and the way your children and wife are acting, who do you think is responsible? When the Lord looks at the state of your family, who does He hold responsible?

The answer is the same for both questions. The Lord holds YOU responsible as the head of your home. Does this seem unreasonable to you?

If you walk into any business and it is in chaos, who do you blame? Don't you blame the boss? You say to yourself, "This company needs good leadership!" Well then, do not find it so strange that God holds you responsible for the condition of your home. If your wife is being difficult and your children are being rebellious, then it is a good time to look at yourself. Every one of us needs good leadership, and no matter how strong or weak your wife is, you have something that she does not have.

You have the delegated authority from Christ as head of your home.

You might want to argue with me. You might say, "But you do not know my wife. She is so strong willed! She does not listen to me. She doesn't care what I say." Well then it is up to you to make sure that she listens. It is up to you to bring her before the Lord and get wisdom.

If a company goes bankrupt, the boss is blamed, not the staff! And so it is the same in your home. If there is a lack, it is up to you to find a solution. This is not based on your skills, your ability or your temperament. It is based on your position of authority. So forget about how you feel. Forget about what you think, and lean on the Word of God.

Realize today that you are the head of your home. God has put you there as an example to your family. It is a heavy responsibility, but it is one you can do with His help. Then also remember that your family is looking up to you for leadership. No matter how strong any woman is, she is waiting for her man to rise up and take the lead. She is waiting to be instructed and encouraged.

Finally, let me leave you with this passage to bring the whole picture together:

Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (NIV)

Love and lead your wife as if she was your own body. You expect your hand to obey your command. You also attend to your hand if it is hurt. In the same way, love and lead your family. In this way you will not only be obeying the Word, but you will be setting your family as a vessel in God's hand, as an example of His grace and His glory in this world!

Loving Him Just as He Is - how to love your husband

Loving Him Just as He Is

It is said that men are simple to understand and I guess in many ways it is true. Ask any woman what clothing she needs and there would be a list.

The list would look like this:

* I need a red satin blouse.
* I need a boot cut, stonewash pair of denim jeans.
* I need a knee length black, fitted skirt that flares at the knee.
* I need a dark brown winter coat that is shaped at the waist.
* I need a pair of black high heels.

Ask any man the same question and HIS list would look like this:

* I need pants.
* I need shirts
* I need socks.
* I need underwear.

It can be so frustrating for us women at times! You see the same shirt and socks come into the wash day after day. No matter how bad the socks look or how many holes, still they find a way to your husband's draw and back to the laundry basket. Perhaps you get frustrated and wonder to yourself, "Why can't he just get new clothes?!" Then when you try to nag him or convince him to buy something new, he sees something else he likes instead. Perhaps a new power tool. Perhaps another electronic gadget that is WAY more interesting than clothes.

Who can understand these men? Why waste money on all this other stuff when they could have more clothes? What you need to remember is that men do not think like women. You could have endless fights with your husband and still he will not change. And do you know something else? He is not meant to change.

The Lord has made your husband this way on purpose! So to fight the way he is, is to fight against the Lord. Don't you expect the same from your husband? Don't you expect him to understand why clothing and jewelry and make-up and other things like this are important to you? Well then you need to understand that this wonderful husband of yours is a practical man. We thank the Lord for that! We thank the Lord for our husbands that can remember the practical things and keep us in balance.

It is this "difference" that attracted you to him. Are you struggling to get your husband to notice your desires or to understand the things you like to spend money on? Well how much consideration do you give him? Do you often catch yourself saying, "That is SUCH a waste of money!" when you could have been supportive? If you expect your husband to always give to you, then perhaps it is time to understand things from his viewpoint instead of trying to change him all the time.

Stop for a moment this week and think about the kinds of things your husband likes and desires. How often have you fought him on getting these desires? How often have you thought he was even stupid for having these desires? Now let it go and change your mind. Decide to give him the support that he needs instead. Why not make it a personal project this week to either buy your husband something he has been desiring or to support him in getting something he desires (but seems a waste of time and money to you.)

Just your backing and support will help your husband feel like he is the most important person in the world to you. After all is that not what the Lord gave us to our husbands for? To lift them him up and so enable him to become the Godly leader that God wants him to be. You hold the power in your own heart to making your husband stand out among other men. Support him, encourage him and then watch as he becomes more confident in who he is!

And then, you never know, he might just let you get him some new socks too. And if all else fails...you can do what I do sometimes and sneak the holey socks into the trash and replace them with a new pair. He probably won't notice...but it is worth a try!

SAUDARA SEIMAN?

SAUDARA SEIMAN?
Kala kumendengar saudara seiman di dalam Tuhan dan mempelajari arti saudara di dalam Tuhan, bagaimana mereka hidup bersama sebagai keluarga Allah dalam Kisah Para Rasul dan kitab-kitab lainnya atau bahkan saat membaca Kitab Taurat bagaimana umat Israel selayaknya hidup bersama. Begitu indah dan dasyat. Tapi apakah itu semua hanya mimpi atau sejarah belaka yang kini hanyalah menjadi cerita dongeng pengantar tidur? Entahlah…….aku memiliki impian tersebut…..sebab seharusnya ikatan persaudaraan kita di dalam Kristus jauh lebih kuat daripada persaudaraan di luar Tuhan. Itulah yang membuat dunia takjub dengan pengikut Kristus hingga jemaat di Anthiokia untuk pertama kalinya disebut orang Kristen (Pengikut/imitator Kristus). Dunia tergoncang melihat kasih yang tulus seorang dengan yang lain. Orang Kristen mula-mula memiliki belaskasihan yang sangat besar.
Namun faktanya aku merasa ikatan persaudaraan kami dulu di geng yang “pasti tanpa Tuhan”, jauh lebih kuat daripada saat kuberada di dalam tubuh Kristus. Ketika seorang diantara kami berurusan dengan polisi dan masuk penjara setiap jam bezoek pasti ada salah satu anggota yang datang dan membawa kebutuhan kami, saat kami masuk rumah sakit ada saja yang membezoek, saat kami disakiti yang lain membela – meski seringkali yang dibela justru pada posisi yang salah, saat yang seorang tak memiliki tempat berteduh yang lain membuka kamar atau rumahnya agar bisa tinggal bersama, bahkan kami siap mati bagi saudara se-geng kami dstnya. Iblis memutarbalikkan cara hidup jemaat mula-mula bahkan perintah Tuhan.
Kisah Para Rasul 2:44-47 Dan semua orang yang telah menjadi percaya tetap bersatu, dan segala kepunyaan mereka adalah kepunyaan bersama, dan selalu ada dari mereka yang menjual harta miliknya, lalu membagi-bagikannya kepada semua orang sesuai dengan keperluan masing-masing. Dengan bertekun dan dengan sehati mereka berkumpul tiap-tiap hari dalam Bait Allah. Mereka memecahkan roti di rumah masing-masing secara bergilir dan makan bersama-sama dengan gembira dan dengan tulus hati, sambil memuji Allah. Dan mereka disukai semua orang. Dan tiap-tiap hari Tuhan menambah jumlah mereka dengan orang yang diselamatkan.

Mat 25:34-40 Dan Raja itu akan berkata kepada mereka yang di sebelah kanan-Nya: Mari, hai kamu yang diberkati oleh Bapa-Ku, terimalah Kerajaan yang telah disediakan bagimu sejak dunia dijadikan. Sebab ketika Aku lapar, kamu memberi Aku makan; ketika Aku haus, kamu memberi Aku minum; ketika Aku seorang asing, kamu memberi Aku tumpangan; ketika Aku telanjang, kamu memberi Aku pakaian; ketika Aku sakit, kamu melawat Aku; ketika Aku di dalam penjara, kamu mengunjungi Aku. Maka orang-orang benar itu akan menjawab Dia, katanya: Tuhan, bilamanakah kami melihat Engkau lapar dan kami memberi Engkau makan, atau haus dan kami memberi Engkau minum? Bilamanakah kami melihat Engkau sebagai orang asing, dan kami memberi Engkau tumpangan, atau telanjang dan kami memberi Engkau pakaian? Bilamanakah kami melihat Engkau sakit atau dalam penjara dan kami mengunjungi Engkau? Dan Raja itu akan menjawab mereka: Aku berkata kepadamu, sesungguhnya segala sesuatu yang kamu lakukan untuk salah seorang dari saudara-Ku yang paling hina ini, kamu telah melakukannya untuk Aku.

Kekristenan dewasa ini sudah mengkristal menjadi sekedar sebuah agama dan penekanan pada keintiman dengan Tuhan sudah mulai luntur. Berulangkali kudengar dalam khotbah para pendeta mengucapkan “Christianity is not a religion but a relation”(Kekristenan bukanlah agama tetapi hubungan), tapi khotbah akan sekedar menjadi sebuah khotbah bilamana sang pengkhotbah pun tak berubah untuk menghidupinya. Jemaat Tuhan membutuhkan teladan dan bukan sekedar pengajar yang cakap berbicara. Kecakapan dalam berkhotbah dan mengajar itu baik dan perlu tetapi semua menjadi tak berarti bila sang pengkhotbah tidak menghidupi apa yang ia sampaikan dalam kesehariannya. Apalagi bila ada yang berdalih bahwa khotbah yang disampaikan adalah untuk jemaat dan bukan bagi dirinya pribadi. Menyedihkan sekali.
Apa yang kulihat dewasa ini, banyak pengkhotbah hidup mewah. Hidup mewah tak salah dan berdosa selama ia mengingat rekan sejawatnya, para kaum Lewi dan jemaat berkekurangan yang ia gembalakan dengan berbagi apa yang ia miliki. Tetapi bila sang pengkhotbah hanya memperbesar perbendaharaan hartanya belaka, apa kata Tuhan? Bukankah Alkitab mencatatkan hal ini:
2 Korintus 8:12-15 Sebab jika kamu rela untuk memberi, maka pemberianmu akan diterima, kalau pemberianmu itu berdasarkan apa yang ada padamu, bukan berdasarkan apa yang tidak ada padamu. Sebab kamu dibebani bukanlah supaya orang-orang lain mendapat keringanan, tetapi supaya ada keseimbangan. Maka hendaklah sekarang ini kelebihan kamu mencukupkan kekurangan mereka, agar kelebihan mereka kemudian mencukupkan kekurangan kamu, supaya ada keseimbangan. Seperti ada tertulis: "Orang yang mengumpulkan banyak, tidak kelebihan dan orang yang mengumpulkan sedikit, tidak kekurangan."

Ketika kulihat ada perbedaan di antara pendeta “kaya dan miskin”, terjadi perpecahan di antara kaum Lewi itu sendiri dan ketidakpedulian di antara seorang dengan yang lain. Sungguh ini semua merupakan hal yang tragis. Tidak heran bila jemaat pun berlaku seperti itu. Orang dunia mengatakan “Buah jatuh tak jauh dari pohonnya”. Hal itu bukan saja berlaku bagi orangtua jasmani tetapi juga orangtua rohani (pendeta/gembala sidang). Ini merupakan tanggungjawab besar, kehidupan kita tercermin dalam kehidupan jemaat yang kita pimpin. Khotbah tentang kasih Kristus dan sesama merupakan topik bahasan yang luarbiasa, indah terdengar di telinga, sangat menjamah hati…..tapi sayangnya kebanyakan hanya sampai di situ. Bila ada tindakan itu pun biasanya hanya berdasarkan program bukan menjadi bagian hidup. Kebenaran firman Tuhan hanya menjadi pengetahuan belaka, kebenaran itu tidak memerdekakan sebab tidak dihidupi di dalam Kristus. Orang Kristen dewasa ini senang mendapatkan pengetahuan akan kebenaran, sayangnya tidak ditindaklanjuti sebagai pelaku kebenaran itu sendiri. Orang Kristen lebih suka menjadi pendengar daripada pelaku, lebih suka menjadi anggota sebuah gereja daripada menjadi murid Kristus yang setiap hari hidup bagi Tuhan Yesus. Apakah ini diakibatkan kini banyak kaum Lewi (pendeta) yang melihat bahwa “pelayanan” lebih merupakan sebagai “pekerjaan” dan bukan lagi sebagai panggilan dan pengabdian terhadap Tuhan dan umat/ sesama?
Apakah memiliki impian melihat kasih persaudaraan dalam Kristus itu nyata di tengah umat Tuhan merupakan sebuah lamunan di siang bolong saja? Ini merupakan impianku, doaku dan imanku bahwa aku akan terus berdoa, berjuang dan menghidupi apa yang kuimani. Impianku melihat saudara seiman hidup bersama dalam kesatuan, melihat perbedaan sebagai keragaman dan keunikan daripada tubuh Kristus, melihat ketimpangan sosial sebagai kesempatan untuk menyatakan kasih Kristus secara lebih nyata.