All of my life, church has been the building I attended several times a week. Ultimately, my church was defined by a four walled building. I found religious identity in the building that I chose to go to worship. I felt a bond with the people that occupied my chosen building. People who did not attend my building were different than me and obviously didn't get why my building was the best. This mentality has been shattered.
Last week, Hannah and I traveled hours out into the bush of Africa to spend three days with the Maasai tribe. While there, I sat in the most beautiful church I have ever seen. The church in the village was more breathtaking than the grand cathedrals of the world. The ceiling made the Sistine Chapel look like finger paintings.
Every night with the Maasai, we had church in the middle of the bush under the night stars. The crystal clear, jet black nights created a sky unlike any I have ever seen. The sky shimmered with millions of tiny diamonds that twinkled in a constant display of light.
At this church, the African sky was the ceiling, the walls were hung with the black tapestries of the night, the floor was red dust and the pulpit was formed by a large circle of Maasai. Some people had walked miles in the dark to worship the Lord. The people praised and danced to God as if their life depended on their worship. It was the most beautiful church I have ever seen.
At that moment, (maybe for the first time) I actually understood that the church is not a building. Jesus did not come and die for the brick and mortar that stands as a monument to religion. We are the church. From now on, I don't care "where" you go to church. I don't care what sign is over the door. If you are willing to give up your life, pick up your cross and follow Jesus, you are a part of my church. I pray that we can lay aside our church pride and minor differences in insignificant religious dogma and be the church that Jesus calls us to be.
