I don't get to understand

Last Friday, we were talking amongst our team - wondering about potential answers to this question: What are some reasons that people come to church, experience God in a new way, and then stop coming? 

It's hard when everyone involved in the conversation has never considered not coming back. We all responded to our experience by fully committing to Jesus, but it's really hard to see outside our own filter, isn't it?

On Saturday, I ran into a woman that I hadn't seen in a while. One year ago, we had celebrated the reconciliation of her marriage; they had then described their experience with Jesus as life changing, "We'll never go back to how we used to live!" Our conversation a few days ago went like this.

How are you guys doing? Not good [explanation given]. Have you guys been coming to church? Not for at least two months. I know, we should, but it's just too hard to come back. I keep praying, but it's just so frustrating. Nothing changes. Listen. I'm not going to lecture you. You come back by just coming back. I know. I love you guys. Tell your husband that I said you two need to get your head out of your butt, come back to church, and call me to set up a time for us to talk.

I'm not extremely proud of my choice of words, but they did call the next day to schedule an appointment. I'll need to remember my own words when I meet with them - if it were so easy for people to change, they would. No one wants to be miserable. While I don't understand, I'm really glad that Jesus does.

Comments

[Dana Ruth]

Kathy,
I have known people just like that - and it is hard for me to understand why they would fall into old familiar patterns of living when those very patterns and habits made them miserable. Part of it, I think, is that internal dialogue that we all have - in their case it seems to be a very destructive dialogue indeed; but somehow because they have had that "stinkin thinkin" for so long it seems to be easy for them to slide back into that "comfort zone". And it probably didn't happen overnight - a real good reason for folks to have accountability partners in their lives - someone to hold their feet to the fire with love, of course, and ask them the questions that need to be asked. Thank God you ran into her...a divine appointment I would think! Just goes to show that Jesus really cares; otherwise I don't believe He would have led her to you that day!