The Weekly Word: Such a Time as This

By Robert Williams, Lead Pastor at The Bridge Church

Bill Hybels, former mega-church pastor in Chicago, Illinois once wrote:

“I believe that only one power exists on this sorry planet [that can transform a human heart]. It’s the power of the love of Jesus Christ, the love that conquers sin and wipes out shame and heals wounds and reconciles enemies and patches broken dreams and ultimately changes the world, one life at a time.

“And what grips my heart every day is the knowledge that the radical message of that transforming love has been given to the church.”

Do you believe these words? I definitely do. The problem? So often, we don’t act like it. 2020 has been hard. It’s no secret. Politics, division, racial injustice, rioting, looting, COVID-19. It’s as though a fire has been set ablaze that we can’t seem to put out.

Between our two shutdowns, our church hasn’t been able to meet in-person for almost half of the year. I think a friend said it best when he said, “Pushing the vision of the church forward right now feels like running in water. No matter how much energy you put into it, you can only go so far.”

I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that it’s all left me feeling hopeless on a number of occasions.

As I wrap up the year, though, I have felt convicted by God in a pretty big way to just stop feeling sorry for myself, and to get back to the roots of what He has called me to do; be a light and a blessing to others. To speak with clarity into all these situations with the gospel hope of Jesus Christ. To be the hope of the world that the church is called by God to be.

Can I ask you a hard question? Do you believe the church is the hope of the world? Let me ask an even harder question: Do you believe your local church is the hope of the world? If not, I would suggest you make some changes.

I know that sounds harsh, but if being a part of the church is simply a business decision for you or the “responsible” decision, then I fear your motives are wrong. It’s time to put up or shut up. It’s time to be the church or move on from it. And quite frankly, I would tell our people the same.

Do you want to know what I think? Governments won’t change the mess we’re in. Social programs won’t change the mess we’re in. Better legislation and laws won’t change the mess we’re in. Forcing our beliefs on one another or shoving the Bible down peoples’ throats won’t change the mess we’re in.

Bill Hybels continues on…

“In a very real way the future of the world rests in the hand of local congregations like yours and mine. It’s the church or it’s lights out. Without churches so filled with the power of God that they can’t help but spill goodness and peace and love and joy into the world, depravity will win the day; evil will flood the world.

“But it doesn’t have to be that way. Strong, growing communities of faith can turn the tide of history. They can! Don’t bother looking elsewhere. The church is it.”

The church was built for such a time as this.