Your title here

Sometimes we think it’s only the preacher or the band that needs to prepare for a Sunday.

I’ve been reading LIFESTORIES by Mark Hall (Casting Crowns) recently and came across this little nugget the other day.

“When I’m not living for Jesus daily and show up at church after squeezing out life on my own terms all week, I’m needy when I walk through the doors.

• I need the greeter to make me feel welcome.
• I need my friends to sit by me.
• I need my soloist  to sing my favourite song.
• I need the pastor to be engaging.
• I need the small group leader to love on me and do cartwheels when I enter.
• I need the small group leader to call me when I’m sick.

I am so needy because I’m not complete when I get there, and when I’m not being completed by my walk with Jesus, I unwittingly demand completeness from people.  I raise the bar of expectations, and people don’t meet my needs because it is impossible for people to do so.”

Mark then goes on to contrast that to walking daily with Jesus.

“When I faithfully pursue God, spending time with Him in Bible study and a spirit of unceasing prayer, then I’m completed by Him.  He indeed is all I need.

When I walk into church, I see people like He sees them.  In other words, I recognize and acknowledge that I’m an instrument.  I walk in and want to sit by others as a ministry.  I want to help greet visitors.  I want to make sure somebody called those who were sick.  Why?  Because a life of praise comes from understanding that this life is not about us.  It’s about something bigger than us.  It’s about loving God and loving others, the two greatest commandments.”

Dave said something along the same lines this morning at church.  He encouraged us to pray before we get to church that we would hear what God would want us to hear.

Is God saying something to me through all this, or did He just want to give me something to blog about?
Challenge: Pray and seek God daily and next time you do church (note: doesn’t have to be a Sunday) - come with expectancy in your heart and tell me it doesn’t make a difference.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 20th, 2008 at 9:39 pm and is filed under Resources, Church, Bible. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.