Picture in the clouds

I was driving home Wednesday after a full day of absorbing teaching on discipleship via simulcast of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Summit. Worship music filled the car and I was singing praises to our mighty God as I gazed out at the beauty of the fields bursting with new growth. Spring was a long time coming to our part of the world this year, but it's finally time to rejoice!

One formation of clouds caught my attention. It appeared to be a small house with a bandaid across it. "How odd" I thought, and then sensed the Lord saying "That is My church and My church is bleeding."



Disunity, strife, striving, grumbling and complaining, all these and more create wounds that the world can see. My heart beats with the desires of the Father to see His church united and at peace. I am thankful for this reminder of this truth as Paul spoke to the Ephesians:


"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" Ephesians 4:1-6