GodReflection: Let’s Stop Protecting Status Quo.

Who said status quo is reliable?

Someone playing around with Latin initiated its use and meaning in 1807. It now appears in our dictionaries. It’s strange to think the prior existence of status quo had no word to describe it.

Mr. Webster calls it normalcy or the existing state of affairs.

I find it quite comfortable when I don’t want to think or act. It is a wonderful “go away and leave me alone,” fallback position.

Status quo made idol worship normal behavior for Old Testament Israelites. Status quo calls me to worship less than God.

Jesus broke with status quo and followed the road to death on the cross.

Redeemed by Jesus’ blood I live the Holy Spirit filled life. That fact shouts against status quo. The nature of walking with Jesus is a walk into the newness of all of the unknown into which the Spirit will lead me. No status quo there.

Where do I get the idea that I can live in church and demand that God go away and leave me alone? Does He want me to petrify in my comfort zone? I have no right to surround myself with protective rules and fences. That was never God’s intent.

Each time I leave the safety of my home I encounter the unfamiliar. The unfamiliar may take the form of accident, injury, or death. However, there is the possibility the unfamiliar will result in spectacular cuisine, a shiny new toy, or a rich encounter with a friend.

I will never know until I leave the safety of status quo.

Church is a similar experience. Church on earth is always different from yesterday and will look different tomorrow. A changing church still can be a body faithful to Jesus. To fight to keep the appearance of church as it is today is a losing battle. What am I protecting? I can remain within my perceived status quo safty or I can trust Jesus with His church and go with Him into the newness of each day.

I seek to move forward as a representative of the King to be an influence for unity within the Body of Christ. To do so I intend to stop protecting status quo church. I want to be open to Jesus in all of his fullness. May we all see Jesus rather than status quo.

As I move toward the finish line, I want Jesus Spirit to invade my life. Wouldn’t it be neat to snap the ribbon—and just for a nanosecond—have God take a second glace to see if the runner is really me or is it Jesus. It is only by the body paint–extracted from Jesus’ blood– to cover my soul and person that could make such an extreme case of mistaken identity possible.

That will be my reality as a member of Jesus’ church built upon a blood stained cross. A cross with power to saves because Jesus did not live to protect status quo.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – Reflecting on Cross Church

Gary@Godreflection.org