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Erasing Memories
(And The Shock Of Becoming Non-Existent)
After Luke’s agonizing decision to finally leave Pastor Moses’ church, and his initial shock that his pastor, in fact, didn’t even know what his name was! (see comic here) Luke hoped that he could leave the program that Pastor Moses was building, but still maintain relationship with those he spent years in those very programs. But it seems that the connecting factor to their relationships was the program, so if you leave the program you become, well, sorry, but, ummm… non-existent. At least that is the culture Pastor Moses subtly creates within this leadership team (see comic here)
Luke is shocked, but he knows he isn’t non-existent! He just wants to experience his faith in a more natural expression, without all the machinery and programs encasing it. Is that so wrong?
Latest written post: Not by our works, but by the working of His grace.
How about becoming non-existent when you still belong to the church? It’s really sad when you have been going to a church for years and they never return your phone calls or prayer requests.
Velvet
I can’t say I became non-existent. But I do know what it means to be defined simply by the activity you are involved in, to be excluded once you’ve been taken out of the team. I didn’t really leave, I was removed first, it seems after I had served my purpose. No warnings, no conversations, just suddenly not included in the list, and co-workers apologizing to me because they were told to specifically not include me in their team. If I committed any offense, no one sure told me. Very few people from that time have remained in touch, and somehow, when you’ve been told they’ve been ordered to exclude you, you don’t feel comfortable staying in touch with them either. And so I feel like I’ve lost friends. . .and eventually it became a cold place. So that when I eventually left, no one really noticed.
Well you may not be noticed for an activity, but you’re noticed for who you are. A child of God, a sibling to God’s other kids, a wonderfully special, unique and important part of the body of Christ.
thank you. that means a lot. ^_^
Ditas, I am sorry that you had to go through that. I understand because after my divorce my church family turned their backs to me. At first I was angry and hurt. I had gone there 20 yrs. I lost many relationships, a job at a christian school, and family through my divorce. What I gained was an better and clearer understanding of who God was and how He viewed me and I now see Him so different. What I also see now is those who hurt me in the church as deceived. They are caught up in the fruits of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. There is a veil over their eyes. They are caught up in the way that seems right to a man. I too was there and I am thankful I am no longer. People will do and say what ever it is that will keep them in a place they are accepted. The place where they feel validated. I am not even sure they realize the hurt they cause others sometimes, but even if they do they are still caught up in the world system. I no longer focus on what I think I have lost,because that always made me feel bad about who I was. I thought there must be something wrong with me. But like Mick said you are a child of God. You are complete in Him lacking nothing. Keep your eyes and your heart in that place. The things we do,the activities we involve ourselves in, and even the amount of friends we have does not define us. Jesus defines us and we were valuable enough that He shed His blood to redeem us. Our worth is based In HIM not in a standard of man. Be encouraged…….it’s going to be ok