Cathedrals.
So we went to the cathedral inside the Prague Castle yesterday and it inspired me to write this blog.
Imagine, if you will, the Notre Dame. Probably one of the most well-known churches in the world, correct? Imagine the sheer size of the building, the intricacy of the stained glass, the weight of each cyclopean block it is built with. Now imagine the years upon years that it took to build the monstrous church. Imagine the money spent and the hours it required and possibly even the injuries incurred during the building process.
What a waste.
Can you even imagine what all that money and effort could have done if spent reaching out and serving others rather than building a fortress to shut the members off from the "tainted" world? What a monstrosity to our own pride and selfishness. I walked into the huge church and wanted to scream and cry at the same time. Look at this cage we've built for ourselves. I'm not saying we shouldn't build churches at all but just look at all the time and money we've wasted trying to look prestigious to a world that Jesus already told us was going to hate us.
Who are we trying to fool?
Even those who do not believe as we do have told me several times that their main problem with Christianity is that the Christians are hypocrites. Even while I've been abroad I've spoken with a peer who said that it shocked him to see just how the American church shuts itself inside its own walls and refuses to do what the Bible clearly teaches Christ has asked us to do. To go and to serve.
I hope we never put saving face over the Gospel of Christ and serving others. Take a look at yourself, and I will too even though I know it's not pretty. What are we giving up? Correction: Are we giving anything up at all for the sake of Christ?
Let's start now.
Convicted,
Elyz
hey lovely! I miss you!!
ReplyDeletejust wanted to let you know that there's a new strain of E. Coli virus coming in fresh produce from either Germany or Spain -- they're not sure yet which country or which food its from, but people have already died from it, so please be careful when eating produce.
LOVE YOU!!!!!
holly
P.S. I can see where you're coming from about Cathedrals and churches and all of that, but please also remember, that the very fact that those churches have become tourist attractions can be used to bring some to a knowledge of the truth. I know that it's not the same as spending money on service of people in need, but God is not unaware of how the money was spent, and He surely won't let it be wasted.