Michelle Gunnin wrote to say that she'd had a conversation with her millennial son.  They were talking about world events and refugees. They were talking about the word represent.

He said, “I’m embarrassed to even say I was raised a Christian these days.  The Christians are doing things that are opposite of what Jesus says.” 

Michelle's response was, "That's exactly how I feel much of the time. The bride of Christ does not represent him well. 

She went on to say, "I've had several bride dreams in recent days. The bride in my dreams is not beautiful. She is more like the bride of Frankenstein…parts and pieces chopped up and put together in a gruesome attempt to create a bride of our own making. It's a similar theme - the misrepresentation of Christ."  

Michelle expounded,

"So many Christians are full of division, hate, and fear.  Around my lunch table, and in my Bible study group I find myself alone in my concern for refugees.  Friends are leery of me. I find myself separated from the Bride of Christ. I have great concern, yet I remain largely silent.

I have only found one place (though I am sure there are others) that I think is accurately representing Jesus in this day.  That place is AIM.  Now I know AIM isn’t perfect, no organization is, but what I see there that stands out is the commitment to express love.  There is no qualification of who we love, or even how we love.  It is a simple…GO.  LOVE… in Jesus Name.

No matter if they are refugees, or orphans, or prostitutes, or johns, or disabled, or any other person considered unlovable. 

How we represent ranges from washing feet, to providing safe places, to sitting and praying together.  It doesn’t matter what faith, what race, what gender, what nationality.  It is inspiring to me really.  To watch and now be a part of an organization whose legacy is to represent." 

So that leaves us with a question - who do you represent? If you're a member of a sports team, you wear a uniform. Uniforms are an easy way to identify who you represent. As the graduate of a college, you become an alumnus - you join a club of sorts and represent the college.

If you've become a member of a church, you represent them. You represent all that people may love or hate about church.

But do you represent Christ? And if so, how do you represent him?  Do you represent his compassion? His love? Jesus put it this way, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46)

He's on the move around the world and he's asking us if we'll join him, if we'll represent him to those who have never heard his name or understood his desire to set them free. Will you?