Have you ever noticed that some people are committed to their church but are rather reluctant to talk about God? And some people are even more reluctant to talk about Jesus. Some of these folks seem to consider involvement in church activities to be the sum total of what is needed. In some instances, it seems that their faith is contained within the physical confines of the church building itself and limited to the time they actually spend inside that building.
And then there are folks at the other end of the spectrum… people who say, “I don’t need to go to church to be a good Christian. I can pray just as well walking in the woods and seeing God’s creation as I can in a church.” Some of these folks don’t feel a need for Christian fellowship, and some are so “turned off” by past experiences with church that they avoid it altogether.
There are times when it’s hard to strike a balance between the two extremes. I don’t claim to have it all figured out, so I ask you:
Do you find yourself closer to one end of this continuum than the other? Do you think you’ve been able to achieve some balance between the two extremes? Do you have some advice for others who are striving to maintain the proper equilibrium?
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And don't forget to enter this week's photo contest, which you can find here.
Hmm - maybe it's a little unfair to equate not talking about God with not thinking about Him. I would probably class myself among those! I do actually find folk whose general conversation is overly "holy" a little embarrassing.
ReplyDelete"If you love me, you will keep my commandments". some folk may be better at the active service side, but would not consider themselves particularly religious. Others love to proclaim their love of Jesus, but are maybe just a little selective as to what commandments they obey!
Good subject Sue - but only God knows what is in our hearts.
I can't claim either of these examples as my own. I talk about God and the Catholic Church so much, bring it everything I do all day long, that I am probably the reason that other people opt to keep God inside the Church building or out of their lives completely! Am I out of balance? Definitely! I wouldn't have it any other way!
ReplyDeleteGood observations. In some countries it is not acceptable to discuss your religion, especially Christianity, in public or at work. So people shy away from professing their Faith.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, our modern sophisticated lifestyles have created "Sunday Christians". (Go to church on Sunday, tick the right box, that's all you need to get your visa to enter Heaven.) Christianity has become a commodity for some.
God bless.