Church in my Hood

Following God’s call can sometimes be tricky.  You often have to step out in faith before you ever see the goodness of his plan.   Sometimes you do it without the support of family, friends, and fellow church members and it can leave you feeling isolated, alone, and questioning whether God’s plan is right for your life.  But the reward of being obedient to what God has called you and his people to do is priceless and it wouldn’t matter if you lost everything else, because God’s kingdom is what is important.

Yesterday I spoke of a call and new ministry my family is embarking upon.  We are becoming missionaries to our local hood and learning what it truly means to be disciples of Christ and to follow him.  Instead of following him to a local building that many call the church, we are meeting and being the church no matter where we are at.  Sometimes this happens in a home where fellowship takes place including food, football, and family time.  Sometimes it means meeting at a local park to meet new people or families and hang out with them, without any specific agenda other then to be with them right where they are at and to show unconditional love.  Other times we may choose to go to a poor neighborhood to help build a house, mow a lawn, or plant some flowers.  This too, can be an act of worship as we celebrate what our God has created and give of our time to help someone else less fortunate.

The beauty of this church is that it doesn’t end on Sunday.  It becomes the very fabric of who we are so it’s church no matter where we are at, what we are doing, or who we are with.  Church happens in my workplace, in the grocery line, and especially while I’m driving down the freeway in rush hour traffic.  Church happens in the home, where family Bible time takes place and where praying together on our knees becomes the norm rather than the exception.  I don’t know about you, but I need church.  I need the church.  I need to be the church.  I need it to be who I am!

I can also say I’m guilty.  I’ve been in the church since birth, which is almost 38 years now, so it’s difficult to shift from behaviors that have been practiced my whole life.  I’ve been as comfortable and as complacent as most people who have been in the church for a long period of time and it’s difficult to immediately change from thinking church is something other then an event on Sunday to something that happens every day, but that is what God intended for it to be from the very beginning.

I’m tired of just sitting on a pew, singing the same songs, and doing the same thing every week.  I’m tired of feeling like there’s something more and I’m missing out.  I’m ready to take action, step out on faith, and trust God for the ability to engage the people he places in my path.  I’m ready to lay down everything I “think” I know and allow God to teach me something new.  I think that’s when true spiritual growth will begin to take root in my life, my family’s life, and with much prayer our neighbor’s lives.

Grace and peace to you today!