My Journey’s My Own

A Devotional

Why do you go to church?

Is it because your parents took you as a child? Is it because you think it’s the right thing to do as an adult? Is it the sense of community? Is it the specific religion you follow? Or, are you truly seeking God?

Every persons reason for attending church is different. Some go for all the reasons listed above, some go because they’re broken. Some go because it’s the only time they’ll be warm that day. Some go because they’re predators and kids are allowed to roam free (sad, scary, but true). Some go because they’re forced (mostly teenagers). And a lot of people simply attend out of habit. It’s what you do.

I know a lot of wonderful “church people”. I am a church person, though I am not very good at regular attendance. Most of my friends would tell you they go to seek the Lord, they’re sinners and they need his grace and the sermon the pastor will deliver to heal and fill their souls for the week. They also go to serve. I believe most of us want to go to church for the real reason we are supposed to be there.

I attend a specific religious church. However, I don’t believe in all that my church teaches. I’ve been a member for well over 20 years and I have deep roots and ties there. I’ve tried other buildings and religions but none feel like home. This is a very important factor. You have to feel comfortable….wanted….welcomed.

Everyone belongs at church.

Read that again…………..

A LOT of churches are not welcoming. They are judgmental, rude, passive aggressive and not demonstrating being the hands of God at all! We, the church, are supposed to be God’s ambassadors, we are supposed to show the world what He looks like and lead those who don’t know Him towards Him! How are we doing that when we won’t even accept those who are different through our doors? It does NOT matter what your personal opinions are of someone! Sexual orientation, gender definition, unbelievers, race, creed, homeless, teen parent, whatever “they” look like, it’s our job to welcome them with open arms! Bring them in, show them His love, show them the warmth of his word. Give them comfort, prayer, and a place to belong. Why is it that Christians think they get to act high and mighty?

We are all broken, we are all sinners, we are all unworthy.

That’s why He died for us. That’s why there’s grace.

Too many people forget that. You think just because you’ve been saved it gives you some step up on your neighbor, but what you need to remember is that God expects you to reach down and lift them up with you. Not to look down on them.

I see and hear so many people talk about putting God back into the schools and how our country has gone to hell in a hand basket because people stopped reading their Bibles.

But I challenge you.

• I challenge those of you who talk like this to ask yourself if you might be part of the problem?
• When was the last time you acted like God calls us to act towards our fellow man.
• Are you judging his other children? How many gay friends do you have? We’ve all heard that God doesn’t make mistakes, well then, they aren’t a mistake either. Have grace.
• When was the last time you went to help your elderly neighbor do anything?
• When did you call your kids, parents, best friend or anyone else close to you that maybe doesn’t believe and tell them that you love them?
• When did you ask someone to join you at church that never goes?
• When was the last time you approached someone you didn’t know at church to say hi? To make them feel welcomed?

We have to be His ambassadors. That’s why we are to gather, to be a church, not for all those other reasons! Those are the modern reasons not HIS reasons!

Church doesn’t have to be in a building! He NEVER said that! Church is anywhere three or more are gathered in His name! Take church with you. Be part of the healing process we all need, not the problem.

🛑 STOP! 🛑

Stop the judgement. Stop the hate speech. Stop the politics. Just stop. Live your life, live it well, live it for Him. That’s how we heal.

Questions/Actions

• Are you judgmental? Can you let go of that as God intended?
• Can you be a ray of hope for those around you? A beacon for them to follow?
• Is there someone in your life that you alienated due to your beliefs? Can you begin to pray for healing and possibly reach out to that person in the coming months?

Verses:

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20