"Church Crutches- Walking Lame"

I never agreed with the phrase of “Using the Church as a Crutch”.  The context I have heard it in dealt with people who refuse to take responsibility for real life, and use the church as an excuse to escape it.  But if we understand the use of a crutch is often due to injury, or circumstances that mess up your ability to walk, or hold your own weight.   In light of that, in this instance we can find some truth in the phrase.  Many of us have had times that life has hit us so hard that we were injured- emotionally, physically, mentally and even spiritually.  We have been unable to continue life without help.  So many of us did run to church, or a friend who prayed for us when we were at our darkest and weakest moment.  There is nothing wrong with that, thank God that His church offers help.  We just have to be sure that we get the help that is offered before venturing out on our own....

  

GETTING OFF CRUTCHES

I was at a dinner honoring a Houston Texans linebacker when we heard the news.  One of their key players who had been injured and returned to the game quickly, was injured again!  This meant he was going to be out longer than anticipated and the new season was going to be in jeopardy without him.  When it was first announced, many praised his return to the game but the news anchor at the table with me was angry at this new development!  She began to talk about how unwise it was for him to try to get back in the game and how his actions were detrimental to the new season.  He was now  going to be out longer than he would have been had  he waited for a complete recovery. 

Sometimes we get involved with churches and we are encouraged, we are lifted, and we get the words of wisdom to help us in this walk of life. We are empowered to keep moving forward and sometimes we get anxious and excited- feeling we no longer need the crutches.  Just like someone who has suffered an injury, the temptation can be to assume regular duties and even take on more. The problem with that is that we use the church only for a momentary crutch, we didn't use it knowing that the ultimate plan is that we be healed completely.  We walk away, start our own ministries because we are excited about this new found support, but our bones are not strong enough to handle the weight of our world much less those we feel called to help. 

This can be seen when we branch out to minister, our words and actions are filled with the words and experiences of others, not the things we have learned in a quiet time with God, nor are they based on experiences in life that He brought us out of.  Don’t get me wrong, the encouragement is real, because God is real; what He has done for others, yes, He will do for you.  But the ability to minister to others and start ministries is more than just the words spoken, there should be a life that emulates it as well.  This level of healing comes with time.  Bones don’t heal overnight, torn ligaments don’t heal overnight, if you come off crutches too soon, you will find yourself back in a place where you are unable to help yourself, or those who are in the game with you.

   

WALKING WHOLE!

 If we are going to use the church as a crutch, we must first understand the purpose of a crutch. 

A crutch is a mobility aid that transfers weight from the legs to the upper body. It is often used by people who cannot use their legs to support their weight, for reasons ranging from short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities.

See, Church is a crutch that helps you distribute your load to others in the Body of Christ.   We are here to assist, to take some of the load off and to help you walk this walk.  The point is to find a place of strength and wholeness so you can walk on your own, basically unassisted so you can in turn help someone else who needs a ‘crutch’.  Walking away from the body of Christ will leave you vulnerable even if you think you are strong enough.  Life has many pitfalls, many potholes and the enemy has many traps to stop us from progressing.  If you are a believer who is feeling your own strength, don’t forget we need each other.   We need you to be there to help another when they fall, and when you fall, the body of Christ is there to help you.   Don’t assume you are strong enough to do this on your own because life throws so much at us any given day.  We need to put the time in to strengthen ourselves,  because the weight of  our life, and the weight of those we are called to carry will be more than we can bear, if we don't do it God's way!  

 Ecclesiastes  4:9-12

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.