Suddenly or not at all

If you are anything like me you go to church looking for something to happen. You're looking for God to move in a mighty way. You're looking for souls to be saved, lives to be changed, and God to be glorified. You are hopeful that God's Spirit will pour out in a way you have never experienced before. You're looking for God to move in a new way, to do a new thing.

I was always looking for God to do "something" while I was in service. I wanted God to turn on the light bulb for me. I wanted God to make me over, make me someone different, someone new....do something with me. I was looking for that magical moment to happen when I would go in through the church doors and come out magically transformed in every way by the worship service. I'm sad to report that day never came.

Please understand me, I have been changed by engaging in corporate worship. Going to church on a weekly basis has had an impact on me. But, it wasn't necessarily the circumstance transforming change I was looking for. So why is that? Why is there no special magical moments happening that change peoples lives forever? Why is it that people don't walk in poor, beat down, and foolish and walk out rich, victorious, and wise? Where is the pool of Bethesda?

Unfortunately, I think we have been misled. We have the spiritual walk backwards. Pastors and leaders of the church always talk about coming prepared to worship. They speak as though you spend your entire life preparing for those few hours on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night for the main "EVENT." Naturally people go in pumped up and ready to go. They are ready to give out "worship" and receive God's blessings. There is talk of how you need to "fill up" for the rest of the week. How you need to get that midweek boost to make it against the devil. Such an emphasis is placed on going to service with so little results.

The truth is corporate worship on Sunday, Wednesday, or any other day is an event. It's a culmination of a life lived for Christ. It will have an impact on you but no more than what you have aloud God's Spirit to do already in your life. The real hard work of a Christian's life takes place in the day to day living of the faith. It is the practicing of God's presence on an ongoing basis that will transform your life. It is prayer, Bible reading, Bible Study, fasting, meditation,service, worship (private and corporate)-It is the regular employment of the Spiritual Disciplines as a vehicle to bring you closer to the heart of God that will bring lasting change. There is no sudden transformation coming.

This may be a disappointing notice that there may not be a suddenly moment. I know that whole sermon series have been built upon the "sudden" power of God intervening into life's situations. And to be certain there are moments like that in many believers lives. But more often than not it is the ongoing daily pursuit of God that will satisfy our souls desires. Look at the Life of Christ and those that follow him. It was not one moment that made all the difference, but a dedicated life that matured over time.

I hope you don't find this post as a downer but as a hopeful motivator that life, power, and transformation is in fact possible (even if not in a moment). Don't give up on God, church, or spiritual matters because you haven't seen the change you want. Seek out those daily activities that will bring about spiritual maturity. Church is a part of that process. So don't be a suddenly or not at all person. Let those suddenly moments serve as markers in a broader spiritual journey.