Dear Reader,
Sunshine pours through the window, as I prepare for church, picking out the perfect outfit and brushing my hair. As I have yet to master the art of walking in heels, I wobble to the car, purse and Bible in hand. We approach the large building and upon stepping out of the car, we begin to hear the faint strains of music ringing out. Upon finding a seat, we are then instructed to stand, turn in our hymnal to the designated song and sing. More songs are sung by the choir, scripture is read, the pastor shares a message that gets the heart pumping and my spirit on fire...then, just like that, it's over. We walk back to the car, feeling convicted, well-aware of where the message can be applied in our lives...but what then? Is that day's church elation enough to sustain me for the week, until the next sermon comes along?
No! And it's not meant to either.
I do not go to church merely for the sake of a pat on the back, although I confess to having to scold myself for proud thoughts. The pastor reminded us that it is not enough to simply be a Christian on Sunday. If all I do for Christ is in the confines of His house with His children, then where is my ministry? I give a testimony every day, whether I realize it or not. How I handled a confrontation in the grocery store, an order that was mixed up, what I wear, which songs I play in the company of friends... The list goes on. Because I am a child of God, I need to live like one every day, not just on Sunday.
The pastor makes it very clear that sitting in that pew is not what saves you and I agree wholeheartedly. It is an important part of your walk with Christ (as I wrote about earlier this month), but it is not what saves you. However, it is easy to slip into the mindset that "Well, I did my part...I went and spent time with Christians, did all that "God" stuff. I'm set for the week." I don't know about you but the rest of the week is where I really find I need God. It is outside of the walls of the church where I truly am me.
I have been going to church for so long, that sometimes I feel as if I am just going through the motions. So guarded, I keep a smile on my face, despite any pain inside, not willing to admit to any weakness. I am also lacking in the art of small talk. If you talk to me long enough I, unfortunately, am prone to spilling my heart out. The rest of my social aptitude is stunted by my shyness. Where am I going with all this? Well, when I walk out that door, grasping my husband's hand and heading to the car, off to the rest of our day...our week...I start to let the truth be told. He knows my struggles. He knows my temptations, trials and prayer needs. He also knows my strengths. There are many other people who sit around me in church. If they are doing similar, in that they know all the right words to say and how to dress on Sunday, but they walk out the door and fall apart, or curse at the traffic, what testimony is that?
We are a walking testimony... That hit me hard. I do understand this concept but lately I have started to revert back to my silent, back against the wall, cowardly self. Rather than endure the uncertain outcome of confronting someone close to me, who is making poor choices, I choose to keep silent. I silently berated myself for not speaking up when opportunities had arose. If I am in my home and there is a video being played that is saturated in fowl language...and I mean, every other second, uncensored (not that that changes anything). ARGH! Did I say something? Rather than offend my guests...I would rather be offended, and in the process look as if I condone such a filthy rant. THAT, is not being a Christian!
I am called to be set apart and no one is going to believe me, if I am sitting there blending in with the world. If you are feeling like the lowest common denominator when it comes to your Christian testimony, don't despair. Do something about it! Be bold! When you hear that voice in the back of your mind, telling you that a situation is wrong, speak up, walk away, do the right thing! That voice is your conscience, the Holy Spirit. Listen! It may be easier said than done, but I guarantee you will have a better ministry to those around you, if you begin to live like a Christian not only when the pastor's watching, but when God's watching.
Sunshine pours through the window, as I prepare for church, picking out the perfect outfit and brushing my hair. As I have yet to master the art of walking in heels, I wobble to the car, purse and Bible in hand. We approach the large building and upon stepping out of the car, we begin to hear the faint strains of music ringing out. Upon finding a seat, we are then instructed to stand, turn in our hymnal to the designated song and sing. More songs are sung by the choir, scripture is read, the pastor shares a message that gets the heart pumping and my spirit on fire...then, just like that, it's over. We walk back to the car, feeling convicted, well-aware of where the message can be applied in our lives...but what then? Is that day's church elation enough to sustain me for the week, until the next sermon comes along?
No! And it's not meant to either.
I do not go to church merely for the sake of a pat on the back, although I confess to having to scold myself for proud thoughts. The pastor reminded us that it is not enough to simply be a Christian on Sunday. If all I do for Christ is in the confines of His house with His children, then where is my ministry? I give a testimony every day, whether I realize it or not. How I handled a confrontation in the grocery store, an order that was mixed up, what I wear, which songs I play in the company of friends... The list goes on. Because I am a child of God, I need to live like one every day, not just on Sunday.
The pastor makes it very clear that sitting in that pew is not what saves you and I agree wholeheartedly. It is an important part of your walk with Christ (as I wrote about earlier this month), but it is not what saves you. However, it is easy to slip into the mindset that "Well, I did my part...I went and spent time with Christians, did all that "God" stuff. I'm set for the week." I don't know about you but the rest of the week is where I really find I need God. It is outside of the walls of the church where I truly am me.
I have been going to church for so long, that sometimes I feel as if I am just going through the motions. So guarded, I keep a smile on my face, despite any pain inside, not willing to admit to any weakness. I am also lacking in the art of small talk. If you talk to me long enough I, unfortunately, am prone to spilling my heart out. The rest of my social aptitude is stunted by my shyness. Where am I going with all this? Well, when I walk out that door, grasping my husband's hand and heading to the car, off to the rest of our day...our week...I start to let the truth be told. He knows my struggles. He knows my temptations, trials and prayer needs. He also knows my strengths. There are many other people who sit around me in church. If they are doing similar, in that they know all the right words to say and how to dress on Sunday, but they walk out the door and fall apart, or curse at the traffic, what testimony is that?
We are a walking testimony... That hit me hard. I do understand this concept but lately I have started to revert back to my silent, back against the wall, cowardly self. Rather than endure the uncertain outcome of confronting someone close to me, who is making poor choices, I choose to keep silent. I silently berated myself for not speaking up when opportunities had arose. If I am in my home and there is a video being played that is saturated in fowl language...and I mean, every other second, uncensored (not that that changes anything). ARGH! Did I say something? Rather than offend my guests...I would rather be offended, and in the process look as if I condone such a filthy rant. THAT, is not being a Christian!
I am called to be set apart and no one is going to believe me, if I am sitting there blending in with the world. If you are feeling like the lowest common denominator when it comes to your Christian testimony, don't despair. Do something about it! Be bold! When you hear that voice in the back of your mind, telling you that a situation is wrong, speak up, walk away, do the right thing! That voice is your conscience, the Holy Spirit. Listen! It may be easier said than done, but I guarantee you will have a better ministry to those around you, if you begin to live like a Christian not only when the pastor's watching, but when God's watching.
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called."
~Ephesians 4:1~
"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."
~Ephesians 4:17-19~
In Christ,
PS: Check out these songs!
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