When she came in, she spoke of how frustrated she was. She spoke of how she felt as though there was nothing stimulating for her and how people would talk about things changing with no sign of actual change taking place.
As I heard her, my heart sank. It was an all too familiar story. One that had left me likewise frustrated and wondering why things had to be this way.
What encouraged me, though, was what happened after she left (and I’m glad to say, she is a resilient character, so her frustration was not going to stop her progressing in Christ). I made my way to the Chip Shop and was thinking about triggers.
You see, I think there’s a mentality about the gathering that doesn’t approach it in the way of what can be offered, but more about what is to be received. It is very much more about spectating and minimal, nominal participation. Yet what if we realised the many triggers God gives us to see Him in action in our lives, we would be so full to the brim of things we’d want to share about God. It might be a song, or a lesson learnt, or an amazing experience to share, or a simple story. It could be something that happened at school or work. Something that came to mind while we watched the TV or read a magazine. One of those gripping phone conversations you have could bear so much insight that others would surely be edified by it.
The point is, a conscious awareness of God in all of life would give us so much material to share with others, that times of gathering could never be a spectator sport. It could never be a one-man show being the centrepiece as if God could only ever speak through one person. The desire to share with others as well as benefit from others would make the whole experience of gathering – in whatever numbers a truly deeper and far more enriching experience as we came with the mind to share with such a great wealth of material to share as we saw God in action.
I hope she gets to experience that far more stimulating church experience. I hope it will be a reality for her to see her undoubted innovative abilities appreciated in the context of a community where people’s contributions are appreciated and encouraged as we delight in God together.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 