As Christians often our theology tells us that mental illness, depression, and bipolar disorder have no place in the believer’s life. So we hide, sneaking into our sessions with our therapists, and change the subject to minimize our exposure to direct questions. We have had to hide our issues really well.
But I would submit to you that it is we who are closest to the Kingdom of God. It is far easier for us to approach the Father, in our brokenness, humility, and general lostness. We have needs; a sound mind, a healthy body and we know it. We have no illusions of wellness, nothing can convince us that we are well. We are not.
We are broken and only our loving creator can mend us.
You might say that the Church needs us. An Archbishop was given an ultimatum by the Huns who surrounded his cathedral. “You have 24 hours to bring your wealth to these steps”, the war-leader demanded. The next morning the Archbishop came out leading the poor, the blind, the lame, and the lunatics. “Where is your treasure? Why have you brought out these… people?” The Archbishop simply and quietly replied, “These are the treasures of the Church, these who are weak are our valuables. They make us rich.”
We often can value giftedness more than weakness.
I am afraid the the Western Church no longer sees its “treasures” like it should. In our pride and self-centeredness we have operated our churches like successful businesses. We value giftedness more than weakness. We definitely have no room for the desperately weak. I suppose it’s time for the Church to begin to act like Jesus.
Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church should be a verb. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.
Broken Believers 
“We are broken and only our loving creator can mend us.”
Especially true for those of us who don’t realize we are broken.
The words in this blog always shine light on scripture.
LikeLike
Thank you again, Pastor B, for being a voice for so many and a vessel He can pour through.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Jean Chamblee’s Weblog and commented:
Such a rich perspective….
LikeLike
Dear Bryan….. I am so wonderfully delighted at finding your posts. The honesty and truth with which you speak is beyond refreshing. It has grieved my heart at how the perceived “weak” have been treated in church. I have suffered migraines for 15 years now and Jesus has chosen to walk with me through it rather than heal me at this time. I have actually been run out of 3 churches by Pastors that got angry because they wanted me to be their worship leader and I was not well enough to commit to the physical demands of being there every Sunday and I knew it. One called me “rebellious”, another “faithless”, and another despised my “weakness” and verbally put me down. It hurt so bad. But as I ran to Jesus…..the internal flower that He has opened up in me during this time of suffering has been awesome. I did not know I could write, but I began to write poetry and put my testimony in a book. The poems, mostly about Christ, have gone around the world and been read by thousands. What others see as a “curse”, God has turned into my greatest blessing. I began to read “Streams in the Desert” which has many collections from older believers that have found the richness in suffering. I still believe for God’s healing to come….but for now my posture is bowing at His feet and finding the treasure that is within HIm and within my circumstances. God bless your honesty and your ministry. Your words are rich with maturity in Christ and I pray they reach more and more!!! Blessings in Christ, Jean
LikeLike
Amen
LikeLike