Ruts

In a Rut??
Inspired by a line from my dear friend Cherry, (like the fruit or the girl)...

We are at an ‘event’ and there was a detailed event that took place…. And my friend and I kind of were wondering why would they do that? Answer: “Because that’s the way they’ve always done it”
So my friend Cherry says, “Oh I hate that phrase, ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

So of course, my brain starts turning- thinking and applying. Do we get into church ruts? Do continue to work in the same methods in Christ even if these methods are not working, even if they are not reaching people, are not making a difference in God’s kingdom… Are we willing to change??? Are we willing to step outside of our comfort zone – even though it will be scary???

Think about it, if you’re not ’bearing fruit’ which the bible says we will, and then don’t you think something has to change….John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

What changes??? Maybe it’s allowing God to lead instead of us leading into a particular direction because we are comfortable with it. If you have been sitting for an hour all comfortable and God says jump will you? Or will you continue to sit and wait for people to come to you??? Matthew does say chapters 28:19 therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Last time I checked, GO is an action, and if our actions are not bringing people to the Lord – than I think that we need a change; even if we don’t like it or it seems hard. The last I checked God promises us that he will walk the entire way with us. Duet 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." We have nothing to be afraid of- not even change.

I look back at the disciples they were fishermen, tax collector, sinner- but God simply said follow me! Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."And they left everything, their comfort zone, what they were used to and went… without knowing. They left their potential comfort zone to follow Jesus into areas unknown.

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

What if God asked you to drop what you know, or comfortable with and just go- would you?