Butt-ugly Church

Did you ever see that handsome guy every girl on campus wanted show up at the alumni banquet with a real dog of a wife? You say under your breath, “how did she get him? That’s how I used to feel about Jesus and the church. Why would He select such a dog? Face it, the church is no hottie. I saw her warts, her limp, her scars and the open running sores on her face. “Seems like Jesus could do better.” Yet He chose the church to be His bride. He loved her enough to die for her. He died to make her holy, purifying her so that she will be “without spot or wrinkle” in eternity. She’s may appear drab and uncomely to me but to Jesus she’s a beauty. If anything proved the adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” it is this choice of His. Here’s what I’ve found through life. The older I’ve got the better I’m able to see the church like He does—as a thing of beauty. Maybe it is just a change that comes with aging. When I was a kid-preacher I wanted the church to be delectable sexy model of perfection in order to be worthy of Christ (and worthy of me too). But as I’ve gotten older I have come to see the church more like Christ must see her. I no longer compare the church to some air-brushed fantasy that doesn’t exist. Christ loves her “as is” and has tremendous hope for her. I suppose if you wrestled me to the ground I’d have to admit she is not very pretty—but I’ve decided she is a beauty for one reason—He thinks she’s beautiful.

 -Keith Drury