This is a little image I came up with for today’s Illustration Friday’s submission under the theme “sour”. I fooled around with a little program, PhotoStudio, that came free with my Canon scanner. It’s pretty decent for free software. This isn’t my usual style, but, oh well.

Part of the frustration that pastors can sometimes feel is that people get in the way of building the perfect church. There is no such thing as a good church because there’s no such thing as a good person. Even Jesus rejected the label of “good”, insisting that God alone is good. I’ve given up imagining a good community. As soon as you point to what you think is good, it is quickly swept downstream. Nothing is permanent. Nothing whatsoever. Just last week someone looked me in the eye and said, “People think this is a great church. Well, it isn’t!” I agree. It isn’t. All we have here is a wide variety of people that I call my friends. We suck individually and corporately. Bring on the accusations! I won’t deny any of them. I am a sinner among sinners.

But once in a while we shine. Once in a while someone shows an act of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, encouragement, love or mercy. We sometimes try to love one another. And when we succeed, the joy is palpable. These are my friends. I am theirs.