I Just Don't Get It!

In the early days of American history when a town was created a church was usually located in the center of the town. To the founders of the town the church represented what was right and wholesome, God was the center of their lives and everything else flowed from that center. People came to the house of God to hear the Word of God, to find solace in the time of need, to meet with family and friends, and to feel safe. The community respected the house of God, the man of God, and the principles of the Word of God; everything in the town was built around two buildings: 1) The Church; 2) The Courthouse; each building representing the basic foundational truths of mankind. Stores and businesses circled these buildings and the cities were filled with people coming to town to do business and meet friends, crime was rare in those places, it outside of town in the darkness that crime would abound, evil always dwells in darkness, and that’s where it was found!

Not so in our day, it wasn’t necessarily the location of the church that made the impact, it was the place in the hearts of the people that made it effective. As a boy growing up church was where you went on Sunday and Wednesday, and if there was a revival, you went every night and most certainly you attended the various events taking place; there was a spirit of Christian community. When someone was struggling you would find them seeking God in the altar and people surrounding them, joining their faith with the one in need…things happened, good things at that.

Perhaps I sound a bit old fashioned, but there are some things that I just don’t get. Why is it that more and more people see church as a place they have to go rather than a place they get to go? And why is it that when humans get into trouble, or are depressed, they flee the house of God? I’ve had people say they’re just taking a break from church, and statistics tell us that many believers of Jesus are now saying that they love God, they just don’t like church! How can you love someone but not love where they live? Makes you wonder how they’ll make it in heaven, it is His house you know! I’m not suggesting that church is perfect, that there isn’t room for improvement, that we aren’t busier than ever, and that there aren’t times when you just can’t make it…I’m suggesting that I just don’t get it! I’m reminded of the scripture in John 6, when Jesus had fed the multitudes with a little boys sack lunch, He then began to teach and spoke of the commitment believers must make to enter the Kingdom of heaven. The Bible says that from that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more, or perhaps the words of Paul fit here, when he speaks of Demas who forsook him having loved this present world. Call me old fashioned, but I am convinced that the closer we get to the return of the Lord the more we need Him and His house…the more we love Him, the more ought to want to be near Him, the more difficult life becomes we more we ought to pulling ourselves aside and hunkering down, rather than becoming reclusive! The old song says, “Hold me fast, let me stand, in the hollow of His hand, just keep me safe till the storm passes by!”

Just Thinking Out Loud!

Pastor Neil