recently, I've developed a new habit. it's called going to church.
obviously I go to church regularly. just about every week, unless we're out of town or something. but lately I've been going a lot. like last weekend, for Father's Day, when I was there to hang out after Saturday night service and then again for both services Sunday morning. last night, my family went to the evening service again, and went out for pizza with the worship team afterwards. then I decided to come out again for second service this morning, by myself. half hour drive and gas notwithstanding. it's like an addiction.
and the service was amazing. honestly, the worship was something more real, powerful, and incredible than I've experienced in awhile. sometimes high and sometimes low, I've been living on emotion for the past week or two, and I'm starting to enjoy it. and think through it, and pray through it..........as odd as it might sound, my relationship with God is becoming so much less about my head and so much more passionate than anything I've ever experienced.
but I'm sure I'll write more about that later. that's not really what this post is about.
anyway. the sermon was pretty good....still in Revelation. actually, we're just in chapter 7 of Revelation. after two months or so. but it's ok - at least our pastor is really interesting. and the book makes so much more sense than it did before. :P
but it was the worship that got me. having heard part of practice yesterday, and last night's service, I knew where the band was going this morning and I just closed my eyes and talked to God. and sang to God, and cried to God, and generally forgot everyone else.
I'm wondering what it is about this church thing that's becoming so addicting for me. it's the people - it has to be. I know it is. I mean, part of it's the worship and the sermon, but all around, it's the people. my youth group. my worship team. the other worship teams. family friends. church staff. somehow, all of a sudden, I'm full of a need for something real and solid, and without a doubt that's what my church is. I've never met people more real. sometimes grumpy, sometimes repentant, sometimes joking, sometimes smoking or drinking or eating microwave meals between services, sometimes upset, sometimes ecstatic, sometimes embarassed (or embarassing), sometimes emotional and dramatic, sometimes just more welcoming and loving than I deserve. the people I keep coming back service after service to see are real people. they don't put on happy plastic masks to go to church and then go home, light a cigarette, and cry. they walk in the door with a grumpy look smelling like smoke. but the best part is that they usually don't leave that way. people shouldn't leave church the same way they walked in. and they should enjoy being with the other members of the body of Christ.
like I do, so much recently.
oh man. I've been in a lot of churches, and I've never felt like this. I'm so lucky, so blessed. I feel like I have another family. (and I actually like this one) like my India team family in Portland.
the body of Christ is a wonderful thing, when it acts like the body of Christ.
oh and, by the way, Messy Spirituality is an amazing book and you should all read it.
Wow, that is really awesome, Kacy :-)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say the same thing about mine... I mean, don't get me wrong, the sermons are really deep and very good/well thought out (like it took us 2 YEARS to get through the book of Ephesians because my pastor pulled so many lessons from it...and he said that was just "scratching the surface"...whoa). There is great teaching. But I don't feel at all close to anybody, like the way you do. My relationship with the people in my church is like that of a neighbor who ya don't really know. Like I see them every week, put on a smile and say hi, and occasionally people will actually stop and have a conversation with me. But for the most part, I feel like kind of an outsider with the people.
I'm sorry Sarah. But I think a lot of churches are like that, unfortunately. And it's not like I have this awesome relationship with every person at my church (there's still a lot of people there that I don't know). But I have good friends in my youth group, and adult friends who are a lot like close uncles and aunts. To see people genuinely care for each other is the best....because I've been in so many churches where it's just like "oh how are you? oh that's nice. see you next Sunday."
ReplyDeletebut anyway. I was just thinking about it today and I was like, you know, this is how it's supposed to be! that's pretty awesome!
I couldn't agree more that the people are a huge, huge important part of a church. Or maybe it's not exactly WHO is there but HOW you work the relationships.
ReplyDeleteLately at my church us youth just "discorse" all the time on deep theological issues. It's amaaazing. It's so encouraging to know that we're not just following in our parent's footsteps, we're thinking every fascet through ourselves.
I think it's awesome that you're becomming so passionate about God. Oh, and guess what?? I got baptized yesterday, and it was the most amazing experience ever- I'll have to post about it eventually- and our pastor's family gave me this beautiful journal for a gift. I absolutely love it, and so would you. :-)