I remember the first truly hurtful conversation I had with a fellow church member. I left in tears, wondering how someone who said they loved Jesus could speak to me that way. Although that conversation happened years ago, it was only the first of many experiences within the church that left a mark. In the years that followed, my commitment to the church was tested as I witnessed pastors, staff members, and friends I loved and worked alongside fall away, fail, or misuse their authority.
I also remember the first time I sat across from a sister in Christ whom I had hurt through my own lack of awareness and unthoughtful words. That conversation was humbling, to say the least. I realized that I hadn’t only been hurt by the church; I had also caused hurt. That conversation changed me. It opened my eyes to the reality that I, too, am part of the reason the church can be so messy.
The church is beautiful and wonderful, but it can also be hard and hurtful. Within it, there can be gossip, slander, secret sin, injustice, unmet expectations, and pain.
So why keep going Sunday after Sunday when it would feel so much easier to walk away?
The Church Is the Bride
On a wedding day, the groom’s eyes are fixed on the back doors, anxiously waiting to see his bride. In his eyes, she is the most precious person in the world—beautiful, cherished, and desired. That’s how Jesus sees his church. The people of God, despite all their sin and brokenness, are his beloved bride. If you know Jesus as your Savior, he looks at you—mess and all—the way a groom looks at his bride on their wedding day. This is a breathtaking and humbling truth.
And if we are called to be like Jesus, then we are called to love what he loves. That means loving his bride—the church—even when she’s hard to love. We’re called to be steadfast and enduring and to seek wisdom as we care for and engage with one another.
Jesus is patient with us, and he calls us to extend that same patience to one another. In the process, he is sanctifying us, slowly shaping us into his perfect and spotless bride. And one day, in heaven, we will be.
We Need the Church
Scripture warns us again and again about the dangers of doing life alone. Sin, lies, and false beliefs thrive in the darkness of isolation. We are not strong enough to do life on our own.
We need fellow believers who are running the same race to teach us, encourage us, correct us, and remind us of what’s true.
Going to church isn’t just about checking a box each week. It’s about worshiping the one true God alongside others who know him. It’s about refueling our soul so we can keep going and stay faithful. It’s about receiving care when we’re at our lowest. It’s about serving those around us, being the hands and feet of Jesus.
We need the church, as messy as it is, because we can’t do life alone.
It Is Worth It
I have no doubt that when we stand face-to-face with Jesus in heaven, we will say with confidence that staying faithful to the church was worth it. Every broken situation, every pain, and every tear will be wiped away and redeemed. Those who fell short of his glory but trusted in Jesus will be made new—perfect because of him. We will finally see God’s plan of redemption in full, and it will be so glorious that we will spend eternity praising him for it.
We’ll know without a doubt that the church was worth it because our beautiful Savior is worth everything. Until that day, we hold fast to his word, trusting that his church truly is worth it because of what is to come.
