When the "church" fails you...

My 19 year old son shared a post on FB the other day about how some people forget to "try God". People try "the church" and then when something goes awry the same people attribute that to God and Christianity and formulate thoughts and opinions that God's not real and Christianity is a joke. I felt that.

I grew up in a home where Christian music (and Country) were the only acceptable tunes. I went to church every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night. I traveled as a part of an ensemble where singing was our form of ministry in addition to providing leadership for biblical camps for children. It was rewarding and I don't regret any of it. So many friendships made...even some retained all these years later.

I also witnessed elders and members of the church I grew up in, turn on our Pastor, our Minister of Music, and even staff. Not necessarily all at the same time but imagine the turbulence that creates in young minds. I sat with that for a very long time because it hurt and I was ashamed to know those church members based on their, sometimes outlandish, behavior.

I can't remember when I stopped going to church regularly. I would have had to been an adult but I'm not great at piecing memories, in time, together. My long-term memory is flawed, what can I say? All I knew was that I no longer wanted to be a part of a "Body of Christ" that seemingly failed me and hurt people I loved. I still don't visit a brick and mortar church very often but I have learned a few things as a result of not giving up on God in the process.

The people in and of the church are human and humans are flawed. There is not one perfect individual on this planet and therefore mistakes will be made and wrongs will be committed. God gave His humans free will; free to make their own choices. Adam and Eve used their free will to disobey but the way of salvation was made by Jesus Christ with the same free will. We are free to make choices but we are responsible for those same choices. We can choose to sow whatever we want, but we cannot choose what we will reap (reference: activechristianity.org and Galatians 6:7-8).

Forming a relationship with God may seem awkward, uncomfortable, even perplexing but He makes it ridiculously easy. Straight up, be like "Hey God, I choose to believe you're listening and I've got so many things to say" and then just talk. Say ALL the things! Tell Him what you're struggling with and what you're confused about. Ask Him for guidance where you're uncertain, Give Him thanks and express gratitude for all the good things (no matter how small, there is always good) in your life. Ask Him to speak to you, to show you...and then wait. Sometimes the answer is quick...sometimes it's not. We're on His time and there's no changing that! Here's the thing though, God wants you to ask and ask again. He created each of us so our trials are not trivial to him. We are not small and we are not irrelevant. He loves us and because He loves us He wants us to see and experience more of His glory. Form a habit of going to Him throughout the day; the quiet morning, the cup of coffee, the commute to and from work, the gym, the walk through the neighborhood, WHILE at work and those other humans are challenging you on every conceivable level, meals, before bed. Anytime and all the time...are all good times!

I sometimes feel like I ask for a whole lot and then I forget to listen so I have to ask again just in case I didn't hear Him the first time (or second, third, fourth...you get the picture). I mean, it's a bit comical and I can only hope that He finds the humor in it as well. I literally ask for Him to hit me upside the head with it also...seems like that should grab my attention. I have been praying and asking for assistance in one particular matter of my existence and it's either not my time yet OR I wasn't listening...so the latter of those shows why I ask over and over!

I know this one is long so if you're still with me I want to recommend a specific song https://youtu.be/RNtPMtcKV10 but I'll place the lyrics here as well.

Olivia Lane

"Wherever You Are"

It might be strange to bring up in this conversation But a name comes up when I think about your situation I haven't been where you've been but I've been where I've been And I've seen it again and again and again There's no place in your heart and no night that's too dark

Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell Some who think they can save themselves It's never too late, never too far gone He will meet you wherever you are (Ever you are, ever you are)

I tried everything that the world tried to say would make me whole All that I spent on a quick easy fix I still have an empty soul But everything changed when I whispered His name and I felt this New kind of love break through And the thing about praise is it don't cost a thing He'll do the same for you

Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell Some who think they can save themselves It's never too late, never too far gone He will meet you wherever you are Jesus

His name is Jesus Let this be your invitation Let His kindness fill your soul Come as you are He'll be waitin' Jesus is your welcome home Let this be your invitation Let His kindness fill your soul Come as you are He'll be waitin' Jesus is your welcome home

Some find Him in a pew, some find Him in a mess I found Him at the bottom of my brokenness Some find Him at the top, some find Him in a cell Some who think they can save themselves It's never too late, never too far gone He will love you wherever you are Jesus His name is Jesus (Some find Him at the well, some find Him on the road) (I found Him when there was no other way to go) (Some find Him at a bar, some find Him at a church) (Some find Him in the healing and some find Him in the hurt)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Howard Benjamin Cowart / Olivia Joy Lane / Taylor Trey Agan Wherever You Are lyrics © Lane Train Music, Liv Write Play Publishing