January 22, 2011

I love Sundays. I enjoy pouring into the students and adults that I work with and alongside of. I love worshiping our Savior and Lord, growing in my relationship with Him, and seeing others grow as we travel on this journey laid before each of us.  But, admittedly it can become exhausting at times and I can become so consumed with the details of ministry that I actually miss the blessings of Sunday. While Sundays is a work day in some sense for myself and ministers everywhere that preach, teach, lead worship, coordinate details of the service, announcements, etc, the ministry should never overshadow the exaltation of God and the amplification of His Word.

I think because we compartmentalize so much of life there is this feeling that we must pack as much as possible into a Sunday and a Wednesday, which exhausts both the minister and the lay person. In such a busy world, even the church is having a problem of promoting a day of rest, a direct commandment of God.We also struggle to teach Christians how to feed themselves spiritually and to have intimate and personal quiet times with God. Is it any wonder that conversions and church attendance as a whole are declining? Whether consciously or unconsciously Christianity has become more about getting people to sit and enjoy an hour here and there of music, preaching and teaching, hoping it will make a difference in someone's life instead of teaching, challenging, and encouraging Christians to go deeper in their faith and to share that faith with the lost world. This isn't a couple hours a week deal, but a 24/7, life-altering thing that infects not just the life of the believer but the life of those who he/she comes in contact with.

I love the Church because it is Christ's bride and it is His primary instrument in spreading the Gospel, sharing His love, and showing His glory. I write these things not to point fingers at others. I write things because I look in the mirror and I see these qualities in me. I write it to encourage and to challenge other believers to step up. Take your faith from being just a couple hours a week deal, and let it saturate your life. Let it change your life.

Father, help me to not compartmentalize my faith. Help me to be more consistent in getting into Your Word and sharing Your love that You have freely given to me.