I am not asking you how much you know ABOUT Him. (I know alot!)
I want to ask you “do you really KNOW Him?”
“Do you really WANT Him?”
I'm not sure when it happened exactly, but we had transitioned out of a church that I had primarily attended most of my life and on the lookout for a new home church. This decision stemmed from some hurt from within the church that really had an affect on me. I think part of me was so discouraged from the experience, the thought of finding a new church just seemed like so much work. Sure, we visited a few churches and even managed to stay at one or two for more than a few weeks straight. Now, this is a far cry from my almost nearly perfect church attendance in the past.
During that transition process, we moved out of the Florida to North Carolina for our careers. We kept saying, "we must find a good church". What is a good church anyway? Of course, I have certain expectations, such as great music, awesome preaching, a real move of God (don't we all think that occasionally?). Little did I know, church after church, they were all the same, very low-key, no deapth (at least that is how it appeared), no stirring in my spirit. Would we ever feel that feeling again? Is my approach to finding a church all wrong? During this time, nothing within me changed really, I still felt strongly about certain moral issues and knew ABOUT Him, but without the "church" as an active part of my life, I prayed less, read the Bible less, quit praying before we ate... before I knew it, I was so far from God. I didn't want that to happen, I didn't mean for it to happen, it just did. Did I still KNOW Him? Would I recognize His voice? Sadly, the answer was "no". It was like having a husband that you never speak to. What kind of marriage would that be?
For me, I really need at least one good element, good music or preaching, at least one must be at least "mediocre". We attended one church for a little while and it was okay but I just didn't feel like I belonged. You know, when no one knows you, it's real easy to get lost in the crowd. Some people are good with that, but it had been so long since I was involved, I really missed it.
As time went on, a girl from my department invited me to her church. She said, "our music is awesome"... I was thinking, "sure it is, I have heard that before". (haha). I attended one Sunday and I felt a sense of belonging, I felt the move of the Holy Spirit and felt compelled to change when I left (I think that is extremely important). When I hear a message, I want to feel compelled to change. I missed that! I really did.
We are regular attenders now or should I say "again". In the past month, I have felt the presence of God stronger than ever. I almost feel like I never "left". I say the word "left" because, you know, God never leaves us, we do that ourselves. Life gets busy, we get distracted or hurt by the church and just slowly slip away. Satan would love for that to happen to all of us.
The last question that I had asked in the beginning, "Do you WANT Him"? I want Him. I always did, I just got lost for a little while. Maybe you have gotten lost. Maybe you have been hurt by the "church" and think that you just can't bare to live through that kind of pain again. There is definitely something to be learned from our experiences. We should be discerning when it comes to people in general. Sometimes it's our fault for putting people in positions where only God should be. I think we all have done that from time to time.
I really WANT Him more than ever. I have been reading and studying His Word every evening before I go to sleep. The more I read, the more I long for Him. I really missed God so much. Being in a good church doesn't make you a Christian, no more than walking in a hospital doesn't make you a patient, but it certainly helps keep your mind focused on the things of God. It is important, I'm proof.
Hebrews 10:25 gives the command in no uncertain terms: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Be blessed! Be in church on Sunday! You'll be glad you went:)
