My seat at church is warm, cozy, and has a great view

I never thought that would be a problem! I was reading this morning and the Lord found a way to speak to me in a way that I will listen. He speaks to me often, I'm just not the best at listening. This time, He reached out through  words and i'm feeling guilty. Guilty enough to blog no less!

The church I attend is going through many changes. The changes that are taking place are not just changes with programming, or decorations, I now see the changes that are being made by the people who attend the church. They are changing, becoming more Jesus centered.

One of the first things I noticed about the change, is the building itself is a little different. The decorations are different, things are in different places. It's a small change, but for a church that has always looked the same, those small differences are noticed immediately. It might be the small bulletin board decoration, a new toy in the nursery, or the rooms are switched. Whatever those small changes are, they are just a peek into the bigger changes that are going on.

The next thing I noticed was the change in programs. Once again, small changes, but good changes. Children's church in the morning, men's bible study, infant pantry.

As I sit in my pew, my comfy, warm, cozy pew, I see all these changes. Where am I in these changes?

The church I attend is changing, i'm just sitting back watching it all happen. Kind of like in Autumn, watching the leaves change color day by day.

As relaxing as that sounds, sitting back observing, it's not where I want to be, its not what I want to be doing. It's quite obvious that I need changed too! I've been sitting so still in my pew, I wonder if i've just become one of the decorations lol

I'd love to see these new programs grow our church, not just in numbers, but really see myself and those around me grow as Christians. I will not grow as a Christian if i'm not fully supporting these programs. If i'm just sitting, waiting for change, and not being the change, then the church isn't changing. We can add 12 new programs, offer amazing praise services, we could have so many people attend our church that we'd only have standing room only, but, if we're not fully committed to fulfilling God's goals for ourselves and others, then it doesn't matter how good our church looks from the outside, we'd still be apart from God. So, while it's easy, and comfortable to sit in my pew, watching others work hard to grow our church into a powerful God fearing group, it's not what God has intended for me.

My church needs me to be a Christian, to give my all to Him, allow Jesus to work through me, continue to grow by obeying Him, if everyone lived everyday for Jesus, every moment, every minute, every second, imagine the power churches would have!

It's not enough to have programs, special speakers, and many attendee's, if you don't have people dedicated to the Lord, are you really doing the best for your church?

When God makes changes in our lives, not everyone stays around to be part of the new us He is molding us to be. Sometimes we feel completely broken, to our lowest, but we must remember that to become who He wants us to be, may mean that we go through some rough times.

The church (as a whole) goes through the same change a person does as it grows to become more like Jesus. Everyone at your church (whether they want to be part of the change or not) is influencing how Christ-like they become. Every church member is responsible for their role in moving their church forward. I am simply a seat warmer. I'm part of the change and didn't realize the effect I am having on my church. The changes going on around me are for His glory. By not taking part in these changes, I am choosing to be a weak link for my church family. If you think of a tree, I'm one of those branches that hang low and bang against the window that eventually gets cut off b/c it's not bearing any fruit. It's just a nuisance.

I need to bring some vitality back. I don't want to be the seat warmer, I don't want to watch everyone try to fulfill God's purpose while I remain an observer. I want to be part of the action.

So, I'm gonna do the work I need to do, to move my church forward. To make sure I am doing everything for God. I want to be more like Jesus, and I want everyone to see Jesus working through me for His glory. I'm ready to give up my comfy cozy seat in the pew, and get up and take action!

I'm not sure where to go from here, but I'll begin with prayer, and wait for His answer.