Talking can be good, but when talking gets in the way of doing, we can quickly stall. How many meetings have you had to discuss what should or shouldn’t be changed in worship services? What about meetings to plan how to develop a prayer church? How many classes have you had about how to study the Bible?
None of these things are bad in and of themselves. Being taught tools as we strive to grow in spiritual discipline can be equipping, and coming together for planning can promote unity. However, coming together doesn’t always produce equipped, unified people. Sometimes, we can emphasize talking so much more than doing that we lose sight of what we’re trying to do.
In order to improve worship…worship.
In order to improve prayer…pray.
In order to improve fellowship…get together.
In order to improve accountability…share.
In order to improve Bible study…study the Bible.
In order to give sacrificially…give sacrificially.
In order to read the Bible more…read the Bible more.
In order to make faith a priority…make faith a priority.
Anytime our focus is off God and what he intends for us, and our discussions begin to meander into the what-I-prefer, who-pays-the-bills-and-therefore-carries-the-most-weight, what-reaches-the-majority, or what-tradition-demands realm, we’ve lost our focus. We become more us-focused instead of God-focused.
Instead of getting stuck in the “What does God want and how will I/we get there?” quandary, simplify it to “What does God want?”
Does God want what I prefer? No, he wants what he prefers.
Does God care who pays the bills and carries the most weight? He knows who pays the bills and carries the most weight: He does.
Does God care what reaches the majority? Only when it’s consistent with his will. He’s just as focused on one as he is on many.
Does God care what tradition demands? God is all about respect, but when tradition trumps his will…well, check out Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees.
You don’t have to figure it all out. In fact, even if you try, you won’t be able to figure it all out. If you think you have it all figured out, it’s not beyond your understanding, and therefore, can’t be completely God’s will.
So, the next time you meet about or discuss worship, start with worship.
The next time you meet about or discuss prayer, start with prayer.
The next time you learn about study the Bible, study the Bible.
Focus on God. Just do it.
I love this blog so much truth!
Thanks. Have a blessed day…filled with learning! 🙂
Susan,
Christianity truly is a simple thing. But we as humans tend to complicate everything was too much.
Again an eye opener that makes me think.
Blessings,
Catherine
Yes, we say we want simplicity, but we definitely lean toward complicating things!
Good good good! Sometimes we lose focus and use alot of “stuff” and discussions to encourage Bible study, prayer etc. Thanks for the reminder: want Bible study-study the Bible, want a praying church-pray! Loved this, and needed this. So I am wanting to study the Bible with other women. Thanks for being one of them:-)
Thank you, Cathy. Are you able to get involved with a study with other women face to face? While online, of course, is a second choice behind face to face, I’ll be facilitating an online study of When Godly People Do Ungodly Things (Beth Moore) beginning early November as a follow up to Living Proof Live in Springfield IL, where I’m serving as the event Prayer Coordinator. If you’re interested, request to join the Facebook group and pick up or order a member study book before the end of October! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShowingHisGlory/