Apprehensions

It's should be no surprise that people are apprehensive about God and the church, the message of the Gospel and the transforming power of a heart and life changed by salvation through Jesus Christ.

In this consumer-driven culture, we come to arrive at decisions and perspectives as we have observed others, as we prayed yesterday. We've seen what we think is hypocritical, based on what we know or what we think we know about Scripture. We watch for what works and what doesn't work, like there's a free 2-week trial period or a 90-day satisfaction, money-back (or life-back, in this case) guarantee with God.

It's new. It's different. It's going to require me to do things that I'm not sure I'm interested in doing, let alone capable of doing. Thus, more often than not, we find about what is new and different because of someone sharing their experience with us.

Think about it... when was the last time you walked up to someone and said:

That's really interesting. I know little to nothing about what you are doing and if I could even handle it, but it looks exciting and I'd like to do it. I'm all in, whatever it takes. Show me how..

NO.

On the contrary.... that's cool for them, but that freaks me out. No thanks, I'd rather not. You go ahead, I'm not interested, That's not my thing. You have a good time, I think I'll stay where I am. It's safe. It's warm. It's stable. And I like it here.

Here's the exciting thing about how God works... just moments before I got ready to type this post, as I was organizing my thoughts, I refreshed my Facebook newsfeed on my phone. Really? Something as serious as prayer and you checked Facebook? Yes, yes I did. And upon doing so, this status showed up with the "just now" time stamp, from a Pastor friend of mine giving a shout-out regarding this mornings sermon series.

"It's far better to find out someone else's world then try and expect them to enter ours." - Jeremy Gyorke, Pastor, Wyandotte Family Center #WalkAcrossTheRoomWFC

Back in the day, the Christian Rock band,  White Heart, wrote a song titled Invitation. The lyrics talk about the struggle described here.

I told you once, I told you twice // But I sense your hesitance at taking my advice
I see you wanting to get involved // You are invited but you must return the call

It's a big decision and I know the feeling // 'Cause I been there before, it takes believing // And a heart that's willing

The invitation is God standing at the door of every heart and knocking. Accompanied by a person who can reassure, this is not the invite you want to send back with a check-mark next to "decline"

Pray, this #effectiveSunday, invites to Christ will be accepted. May the body of Christ accept the challenge offered by Pastor Jeremy... that we would walk across the room before we wait to be approached. Pray God help us with the answers to questions, people have when sharing their concerns regarding who God is and what He has to offer that is in fact, life-changing, life-transforming.

Life-revisited for the glory of God through the grace offered by the power of salvation; Jesus taking our place for what was rightly due us all. May the message of our lives be consistent with God's, offering no room for an excuse to decline the invite.

- PNC

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