Not perfect.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable or not welcomed at a church service?

As a teenager I didn’t feel welcomed even though I was invited to attend the services in my hometown. I recall the Sunday I attended. As I sang along that Sunday, two ladies in front of me turned and looked at me. They didn’t speak a word out loud. But, their facial expression screamed. I stopped singing and didn't go back for awhile.

I’ve heard stories like mine too many times.

Here’s the thing … No one in any church is perfect. Jesus reminded us that he came for those who know they have a spiritual problem (Mark 2:17). That includes a character from the Old Testament who was not perfect. In fact, Jesus’ earthly genealogy has been traced back to her (Matthew 1:5).

Her name was Rahab. She was a Canaanite woman who lived in ancient Jericho and worked as a prostitute (for the full story, see Joshua 2). It’s a fascinating story of a woman who concluded God was all-powerful and deserved true worship.

She risked her life by protecting two Jewish spies from certain death while in the fortified city. Her life was spared because of her faith in God. In Hebrews 11:31 we read, “It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.“

Rahab the prostitute became a believer in the true God. James wrote, “Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road“ (James 2:25).

No one is perfect.

If you feel that you’re not welcome in a church, Jesus welcomes you. I welcome you. And I believe there are many churches out there who will welcome you.

No matter what you’ve done, or may be doing, don’t let anyone or anything keep you from experiencing God’s peace and grace. Go to church and worship the God who loves you! Remember, no one is perfect except the one can change your life forever.