My Wake up call- Call to Action

I believe that I am a pretty loving, caring person, and one thing that God has been stretching and growing in me is the Grace that I have for others, in all realms of life. May it be at work, and home, at the grocery store, or even while I am driving on the roads. What about the Grace for those that step in our churches??

I realized that I am a little naive, or in denial when it comes to how people actually feel about the church. When I started going to church, the one thing I felt was acceptance and love. I was a 15 year old girl, who was desperately seeking relationships and love, I wasn't getting that from my school. When asked to come to youth with a friend from my choir, I jumped at the chance of going out on a "Friday night". I found what I was desiring for at my youth group, I was loved and was acceppted just the way I was. (A very Fuzzy permed haired, tad over weight, 15 year old girl) and because of that, I found Christ and my life was changed forever.

However, when I see some conversations on the World Wide Web going around about the "church", it's not this beautiful depiction that I have. A friend on Facebook had posted that she was in search of a new church. She didn't want to go by herself though. She had many responses but one response actually RIPPED my heart out of my chest. It said

"Hi Friend, I have stopped because I can't seem to find one that welcomes me with open arms they all look at me like im some sort of diseased being something.. I would be willing to check one out with you maybe"

A diseased being, not just one church but MANY churches were making her feel this way. This needs to be our wake up call. If we truly know the Grace of God, then all of our judgments and hazy glares and predispostioned thoughts should be no more. Everyone is covered by the Grace and love of the Cross, EVERYONE. Who are we to judge, who are we to think that we are better then anyone. WE were created for great purpose and an amazing plan. All of us. Not one person is out of reach from his Love.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:8-9).”

It's time church that we take a stand and be Grace givers and not Grace destroyers. Grace to the single Momma who is with child again,and just wants to know that she is cared for and loved, Grace to the Pastor's Wife, who struggles with self confidence and self image, Grace to the out of control child, who is living with Foster parents because their parents would rather do drugs then care for them, dare I say Grace to the Pastor, who's human and makes mistakes too. Grace to the broken, Grace to the needy, Grace to the sick and the healthy, Grace to all, to everyone that you may come into contact with. No one should feel like we are looking at them with some sort of disease. OUr arms SHOULD be wide open and ready to Love on them forever and ever. Yes Forever!!!

I write here today to "apologize" to those who have felt like the young women on Facebook. You are absolutely amazing and I see God's amazing Grace all over you, I see amazing potential, I see Greatness and such a Destiny all over your life. You matter to me and I will always be in your corner Cheering you on.

I type here today with my heart on my sleeves and ask you to remember what your faith is all about. It' time that we become World changers. It takes ONE person to start a flood of revival. Our faith is about the Grace of Jesus on that cross saving us from all of our sins, and rising from the tomb because he is God!! This was for all of us.

Thanks

Heidi Kozlof