Church ...

Do you go to Church?  Why do you go to Church?   I have gone to Church all my life.  I really don’t know anything different.  When I was young we didn’t miss a Sunday unless our family was away or unless we were sick.  We went to Church.  No exceptions, that is just how it was.

Then, as God would have it, I married a preacher.  Thus, I have gone to Church every week since I have been married with the exception of being sick or away and travelling where we couldn’t get to Church. 

Do you think maybe God knows my personality a little?  Do you think maybe He knew it would be best for me to grow up in a family that made Church a priority?  Do you think He knew best that as an adult I would require the constant tie of being married to the Preacher?  I do.  Many of you will be shocked to learn that I have a personality that does this:  If you Say:  “No.” I say “Yes.”  If you say:  “You can’t.” I say “I can!”  If you say: “Don’t.” I say “Do”.  Many of you won’t be shocked about that at all!   Believe me when I say I am well aware of that rebellious part of my personality.  It’s been with me a lifetime.  My parents and Raymond are probably pretty aware of this too! Just Saying! 

Thankfully, over the years I have learned to manage this tendency and do my best in taming myself down when I feel like showing you that “I can!!!”  But, I am a work in progress, keep that in mind!  The taming doesn’t always go as well as I plan! 

I say all these things to say that I am thankful that my parents made me go to Church and I am thankful that I am married to the Preacher.  I wasn’t impressed with going to Church as a kid or a teen-ager, as it became a drudgery.  I went because I had to, not because I wanted to.  I will also say here that there were even several years after I was married that I went because I had to.  Simply because I was the Preacher’s wife and it was expected.  I am not proud to say that, but If I am to be real with you, that is the truth. 

My personality during these periods would say, “I don’t have to go.  You can’t make me.”  Yet, my parents made me go anyway and being the Pastor’s wife forced me to go as well.  God created me and my personality.  He has a plan for my life and has loved me from day one.  But, His unconditional love doesn’t give me free reign to be rebellious and show the world how Trista can do things.  Instead, His love means He will help me manage my rebellious personality, if I seek Him. Have you ever heard the quote: “Jesus knows me. This I love.”  It is one of my favorites!  Do you know He loves YOU?

So, back to Church.  I don’t go to Church because I have to anymore.   I go to Church because I want to.  There’s nothing I would rather do than Worship the One who saved me from myself, who saved my soul, who is with me everyday and who loves me too much to leave me the way I am.  I want to be with other believers worshipping, praising and talking to the Saviour of my soul.   I want to share my ups and my downs from the week with other believers.  I want to be real.  I want to know how God is working in your life also.   I want to be in God’s House.  It’s just a small portion of time that I spend with Him throughout the week, but I feel I need it and I desire it.

Were you forced to go to Church or were you not allowed to go at all?  Do you go to Church because you want to?  Do you seek God in His house?  Do you participate in fellowship with other believers?  Do you share your ups and downs with other believers?  Are you real with people? I think it’s time to be honest and sincere and to share our hardships and help each other along the way.  I want to be an active participant in the things of the Church, for the cause of Christ.  Why don’t you join me?  

Think about this:  Jesus knows you.  He loves you.   He wants a relationship with you.  I don’t believe you have to go to Church to have a relationship with Jesus.  I do believe that His Church is a gift to us, as believers.  A chance to be in His presence, together, sharing and caring for one another.  Active participation and involvement with a body of believers is a gift we can give ourselves.  Are we all actively participating and partaking of that gift?

 So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles! 

Our God is a God of Miracles! 

Count Your Blessings…