January 12, 2006
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I’ve been thinking of Mary and how she lived her life. A part of her life she did let her being a “mother” get in the way of allowing Jesus to be her Lord. I suspect we’ve allowed our positions in life get in the way of our service towards God.
Here’s what I’ve observed concerning position.
1. People that come late to church would never show up late to work.
2. It’s OK to do your 2nd best at church while doing your best at your work site.
3. It’s OK to put in overtime at work for the $ but never overtime at church.
4. Miss church because of “family time” – consistently.
There does seem to be a different standard for work and that of the church. Is your position getting in the way of serving God?
Comments (7)
I don’t equate attending church with serving God.
Amen to all 4 points.
Larry
Comment to Lance. We are to serve in the church, which is also a way to serve God.
LSP1, we can serve God outside of church as well. There’s more things to do in order to serve God outside of church than within it. We are in church not only to serve but to have a closer relationship with God. Afterall God doesn’t need our love, we need His love.
I don’t think there should be “standards” in church. Too many christians pretend to be so righteous by following all these standards but their hearts aren’t prepared when it comes to worshipping and serving God. Just attending church isn’t serving God. It’s amusing how some people place religion ahead of God.
What do you mean by doing your 2nd best in church? As in worshipping? I think many christians do church work for the wrong reasons.
Hmmm…all of these people make a good point. Good to see that you’re back on xanga. It’s been my “escape” lately. We’ve been going through some things and need some prayer. I’ve been fighting with “putting up a wall” to stay strong for Maliyah and the little one waiting to arrive. Everyday I wake up and plan to go to the church to talk to someone, but it’s like everything within me keeps me from going or calling to talk to someone. I guess it’s pride..who knows. Maybe it’s fear of criticism and the “I told you so lecture”. I don’t need any lectures right now. I just need to know that I am surrounded by people who love and care about me, and to be honest I don’t feel that right now. I vented about my feelings a little bit in my xanga post today…maybe that will explain how I am feeling in more detail. I’ve been so afraid of expressing how I feel because it might make people think I’m just feeling sorry for myself, but you know what? Who cares what people think. This is how I feel and I need to be real about who I am and what I’m feeling. All of this has been on my heart the last few days. Looks like I needed to vent! I’m just asking you to pray that God will give me wisdom and direction because I really need it right now. Thanks pastor.
You asked me to explain. I know I’m taking your post out of context, but reading it a person might think you’re saying you have to go to church (small c) if you’re a Christ believer. God can certainly be served in a church building, but as a place I don’t think a person can limit service to God to church. In fact, all the really meaningful work is done outside the brick and mortar (imho). The Church (capital C) is the body of believers, not the place. You have good points, but I was troubled by the emphasis. And for the record, I can count the number of times I’ve been inside a church building in the past year on one hand. Freedom in Christ isn’t a license to sin, but it does mean freedom from Man’s standards. The line is fine and judgment belongs to the Father and Holy Spirit indwelling.
Then I suppose you might say I daily attend the Church of the Holy Xangans. It certainly takes priority over other things! LOL.