Millions of Americans (myself included) have been tuning into AMC’s The Walking Dead on Sunday nights. The show is so popular it even has an after show called The Talking Dead, for those who need to relive the last episode for another 45 minutes!
I don’t love the blood and guts, but the characters and storylines have drawn me in.
Rick Grimes (the main character) and the rest of his zombie-fighting crew have found themselves in extreme conditions as they fight for survival. These unimaginable circumstances have instantly turned their friendships into relationships that feel and look like family.
Let’s just say you don’t want to encounter them in a dark alley!
Each day a choice stares them each in the face. Will they choose to fight for the sake of the group, or will they fight each other thinking only of themselves? Only to be eaten alive by flesh-tearing zombies! (Trust me the storylines are worth it!)
You would think with scary killing zombies everywhere the group would quickly come together to fight the real enemy. But survival seems to bring out the best and worst in people, and although the zombies are clearly the “bad” guys, the humans still end up fighting one another.
Jealously, selfishness, and control still are in play and the ultimate goal of banding together for the sake of survival is still void in some hearts and minds.
So, the question remains: Is the church any different from The Walking Dead?
Sadly, I am not so sure, and I am the first to admit I can fall into the same category as these TV characters I have grown to love.
We (the church) are often busy debating theology, politics, and our stance on issues. We find ourselves sacrificing relationships for the sake of being “right” and we won’t budge, and sometimes won’t even truly listen to each other.
Lance Wallnau says, “We are more willing to attack one another, than band together and fight the enemy.”
We are in a war with a real enemy. I never want to focus on the enemy (he doesn’t deserve our attention), but it’s important we remember the bigger battle we are in and the need for complete unity to take ground for the kingdom.
We seek to be the best church on the block, rather than bond together for the sake of our community, city, and nation. I am not saying I am perfect or my church has is it all figured out.
I am saying my heart has been challenged to seek unity for the bigger battle at hand. I have no idea what that looks like, but I know the challenge stands in front of me/us.
In the meantime, I will keep watching The Walking Dead and will keep being challenged by their relationships that look like family.
Even more challenging is watching these relationships form with people who don’t look and act the same, and honestly, probably couldn’t be a more different group of individuals. Yet they understand the times they are in and see the need for unity. (I know they are acting, but I am challenged still.) It should be no different for the church.
In this season God is stirring family in the hearts of His people.
Our mission, our destiny, and His kingdom can’t be achieved alone but rather through family.
Will I fight for family and unity or seek to be in my own corner, going at it alone?
The choice is ours. What will we choose? {eoa}
Mikaela Kate is passionate to see YOU reach your full God-given potential! Her heart is to inspire the next generation to discover who they are and what they are made to do. There is a unique VOICE locked within you, Mikaela Kate is authorized to RELEASE it!
A speaker, writer, and coach, Mikaela Kate has invested seven years developing college-age men and women into leaders. Conducting Bible studies, women’s groups, and young adult teams she encourages others to go further and higher—taking their gifts, passions, and skills to the next level!
A graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in marketing, she discovered her love for strategic thinking, big picture ideas, and meeting people where they are. These skills and passions later equipped her to plant a church with five other staff members (Veritas Church, Iowa City, IA).
She moved to Sheffield, England and worked as the Young Adults Leader at St. Thomas Philadelphia. While in England her passion for America grew and her desire to see her native land transformed for Jesus ignited. She sees people living out their God-given purpose as a key to the transformation of this nation.
Mikaela currently lives in South Carolina and is an active member of The Father’s House Church.
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