Just Thinking About ...
Tonight, this is what I’m thinking about. I’m thinking about how the world gathers information and then feeds us what it gathers. My findings may not be research based—but they are observation based—albeit my own observations.
I’ve heard it said now and again that the young people are leaving the church, or that people are not attending like they used to. However, when I look, I see parking lots full of cars and families and kids and young people and the elderly in attendance. I see people who are spiritually hungry tuning in to podcasts. I see packed Christian concerts, and retreats, and people gathering for prayer. I see men on bended knee in the middle of the day, in the middle of sanctuaries bowing heads. I see Bible studies gathering. I see prayer groups and personally know of churches having daily services where fifty to one-hundred gather smack dab in the middle of the day—young people—college aged—little children alongside their parents and the elderly united as one.
Sometimes I wonder if those reporting the downward spiral forget that just because people leave for a season, does not mean they won’t eventually make their way back—as God does not leave them/us. His words constantly wash over. “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). And words come to mind such as, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:8). He says lots of things and what He says points to the fact that He does not and will not leave us. He created us, and we need not fear.
What can we take away from these verses mentioned? These verses offer assurance that when we become distracted or discouraged or want to jump ship because we begin to believe what we are told by the information gatherers, perhaps it’s time. Perhaps it’s time to remember to believe what He has written and not what others write. After all, if He found Saul on the road to Damascus and changed him into a Paul, then He can take meandering hearts today and bring them back.
When we hear about today’s statistics compared to those from yesteryear—it might be good to remember just how this whole thing got started. It started with twelve men. The Holy Spirit filled hearts with the Good News and then the twelve told others about Jesus. Today, we have a whole lot more than twelve who know Him, so I say the odds are pretty good that even more will come to know Him.
Perhaps if the numbers don’t add up—maybe it’s because the Holy Spirit is up to something.
After all, one plus one still equals two and He said “where two or three are gathered in His name, there He is also” (Matt. 18:20). When you hear the spirit of desolation in the air and on the air—it’s meant to discourage. I’m not saying don’t pay attention but perhaps it might be better to pray attention. After all, it’s about His ways over our way anyway—and that’s all I’m thinking about for now. Amen.
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