As the Waters Recede, What will We Discover?

There’s an intriguing thing happening right now in central Mexico. A severe drought has caused the water level in Nezahualcoyotl reservoir in Chiapas to drop over 80 feet, revealing the ruins of a 16th Century church that is normally submerged under 100 feet of water. (Read the full article here.)

The Temple of Santiago was originally built in 1564 on the King’s Highway in an area that was anticipated to experience tremendous growth. Two hundred years later, though, several plagues devastated the area and the temple was abandoned in 1776. In 1966 the reservoir was created and the church submerged.

But the temple has refused to remain hidden, making comeback appearances in 2002 and today as the waters hiding it have receded. Today, tourists flock to the remains, finding it fascinating to visit a church that only makes an appearance once every decade.

The eerie images of a church emerging from a lake really caused me to think a lot about the church today in America. It does appear that the plagues of culture are winning the day and burying the church. It does appear that our culture, including some Christians, are interested in a church that only makes an appearance on certain occasions, but that has no real bearing on how we live or on our collective moral consciousness. And it does appear that what we want is a church that is a tourist attraction, like the cavernous (and empty) cathedrals of Europe and not the salt of the earth and light of the world that Jesus said it would be.

 

But, in the wisdom and sovereignty of God and in the violent upheavals of history, there are seasons when the waters of culture recede for a brief time as they lose their appeal or their relevance in serious times of need. Times like the weeks after September 11, 2001, or when the stock market dives 500 points and we’re all reminded (albeit temporarily) of the stupidity of placing our hope in money, or when another video appears of innocent men, women and children being executed, reminding us of the inhumanity that lies just below the surface of what we call “human nature,” or, in a final act of unbelievable bravery, a nine-year-old boy pushes his little sister to safety just before a speeding car strikes and kills him, reminding us all of the potential for good that also exists in each of us.

It is in times like that, times when political pundits and late-night comedians have no real answers, that people stop and look back at the church.

I believe we are in a time like that now, and if not now, that we will be in one very, very soon.

And that begs the question: As the waters of culture recede and the 21st Century Church in America is exposed, what will be revealed?

Will our spiritually hungry friends and neighbors see a church that is nothing more than a curious tourist attraction, a token to the former times before we all grew up, became sophisticated and recognized the fallacies of our childhood fantasies, including our faith? Or, will they see a group of people who are wildly in love with God and who model his grace and mercy in their daily lives?

When our spiritually hungry friends and neighbors look at us, when they look at you and me, will they see people who are overly busy, stressed out and whose lives and morality look no different from their own? Or will they see a humbly submitted group of Jesus-followers who take to heart the scriptural admonition to be holy as God is holy?

Friends, I believe great things for the Church in our land. I believe that as the waters of culture recede, and they will, that the beautiful and vibrant bride of Jesus will shine forth in all her glory. I believe what Isaiah promised to us:

“Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke?  “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?  “Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.  “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,  and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.  “And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.  “Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell, (Isaiah 58:6-12). 

Oh Lord, make it so.

 

 

 

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