When we feel dry and unusable and bored, know God’s spirit is alive and well. When we see poverty, despair, and hopelessness, know God’s spirit is alive and well. When people feel far and church seems obligatory and life is mundane, know God’s spirit is alive and well. When we think we have all the answers and we are the only ones really doing church right, maybe we can learn some lessons from those beyond American borders who really know God’s spirit is alive and well.
When we feel like church programming is lame or our seat is uncomfortable or our audio system projects worship music too loud or the air conditioning is too cold or we can’t sit in our favorite seat or we feel persecuted because we have to park far away from the sanctuary, know there are people who walk miles to stand in a small sanctuary, in a hot, stuffy room, without a bible they own to worship our same God, remember God’s spirit is alive and well.
When children complain about the wrong poptart choice or dry snacks during Sunday school, know there are children who walk to local churches to receive a breakfast their parents can’t afford to provide. When people complain about children interrupting a church service, know that a father is carrying a infant in his arms to ensure she is part of a worship service and remember that God’s spirit is alive and well.
When we’re upset that the church grounds are being worn out and too many people are abusing the facilities, know there are churches which double as shelters, community centers, and kitchens. Know there are meeting places that serve spiritual food on Sunday and physical food all other days of the week. So the syrup you smell? The tethered chairs you feel? It’s because our facilities are being used, hearts are being changed, and souls are being fed.
So the we I speak so passionately about is me. ME. I need to be reminded chairs and lights and programs don’t matter as much as knowing the spirit of God is alive and well. Beyond our comfy pews. Beyond our air-conditioned sanctuaries. Beyond the programs and yawns and obligation. Beyond all there there are people who really know the Spirit of God is alive and well. In small churches across the world people with dark skin, light skin, big eyes, and small eyes are worshipping the same God. In mega churches across the globe, we sing the same songs and love the same God and read the same bible. And it’s amazing.
Check out Kyle Zimmerman from Mariners Church worshipping at El Mejor del Trigo
beautiful thoughts! God is alive and well in every part and corner of the Earth, He can be found in the hearts of humanity.
Thanks for sharing.
…needed more than ever to read this today. such a great reminder. thanks for sharing 🙂
Amen! We're not a social club, we're the living body of Christ that is spread across the world!
Alive and well…ahhh we have so much to be thankful for!!! Why do we ever complain when God is always at work… love your thoughts here Bianca 🙂
oh my … right between the eyes, BB. right between the eyes. thank you.
Bianca . Can you make a post of how to do the right thing and honer a parent even though the have been abusive. How to forgive my mother even though she has brought so much pain to my heart? I wanna live by God but this is so hard form me. Thank You.
Jennifer, ever heard of the statement “I taste your tears”? It means that a person KNOWS EXACTLY what you’re going through. So I want to tell you this… I TASTE YOUR TEARS…
Without going into too much detail here, I can tell you that my mom was mean, brutal, abusive, horrible and all of this she did on purpose. It took me years to get over the pain and hurt she caused my life. When I had my first born I knew that God wanted to change my heart towards her. And God has given me a peace, and unconditional love for her. I do not have a relationship with my mother anymore, (her choice, she stopped talking to me 2yrs ago). My mother has not changed, but my heart has. I loved on my mom through God’s grace and strength. I read a book called “Betrayal’s Baby” and it helped me through all the pain and suffering I endured at the hands of my mother. I want to encourage you to keep on pursuing Christ. He will not disappoint your, He will not let you down, He will not let you fight this alone, He will not hurt you, He will not abandon you, He will not leave you, He will not forsake you, He will not allow you to fall, He WILL walk with you through this journey.. Hope in Christ. Maybe Bianca can share my email with you, she has my permission. I give you my word that I will be in prayer for you and with you.God will be glorified through this.. Do not let go of Christ… I love you my sister, my friend…
Norma
Norma , thank you so much for all your encouraging words. First they made me cry and then they made me smile because for the first time in my life I feel that I am on the right path , when I pray I feel an indescribable feeling of peace. I trust that God is with me and I will never let go of Christ. Although I feel so much hurt , there is nothing I want more then to heal my relationship with my mother. However I fear that after the last time we spoke it will take some time to get there. I know what you mean by "My mother has not changed, but my heart has." and I have so many sleepless nights trying to understand how to make things better. I pray that God will leads my life in the right direction and hope to one day get passed all this.
Thank you for sharing something so personal with me Norma. Love Jennifer.
Wow. Norma, you answered this question way better than I could have. Jennifer, I'm grateful you feel safe to post this here. I'm more grateful there are people who can support you during this journey and give you advice like Norma has. Know that my prayers are with you…
Bianca , You have inspired me in more ways that you know , and for that I am thankful. Love Jennifer.
There is so much truth in something as simple as this. Thank you for this post.
I grew up in Africa, so I remember the days we used to "happily" trek miles and miles un-end to get to church for a 3 hour service. Sometimes, the time we spent on the road was much more than the time we spent at church.
This is a good reminder that truly – "God’s spirit is alive and well"
wow this was soo humblizing… its a great reminder of how everything we own we take for granted even the nice church we go to… love love this blog! you breathed new air into my soul! thank you so much for that!
Thank you for the subtle “punch in the face!” Definitely need to hear that today to gain perspective beyond my “bubble”
This past week I was thinkin about when I started attending CCM. The chairs were metal, the floor was nothing but concrete, during the summer they had those HUGE fans, and during the winter we had to wear our jackets cause it was freezing cold. During the rain, they had buckets cause the roof leaked! It was hilarious!!! I know Pancho felt horrible for his sheep but those were the bestest times at CCM.. Thank you for the reminder about how much we need to zip it and be thankful!..
God is amazing.
Oh sweet Sara, your words mean so much… because they come with the weight of understanding. Praying for you and your health! xoxo
I love to see things well worn, it shows that that specific item is used. It has been treasured, shared and enjoyed. I have many family heirlooms that are stained, chipped, missing pieces..but they are well loved and passed down for all to enjoy. I love to see the Church Building in a constant state of this or that, it shows that it is being used, cherished, treasured, enjoyed. Many memories are made on the grounds, and it shows..all over.
It may be tattered and worn, but full of love love love.
so humbled right now….thanks for the reality check…
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