Two men go into the same treatment program at the same time. They both sit under the same teaching. The both work the same workbook. Both of them attend the same services during their time there. One of them gets it.....the other doesn't.
Ten plus years pass and these two meet up. During their conversation, the one who is still running the streets searching for that high, confesses to the other that he is angry with him. The other man who has lived not only a life of sobriety for the past ten years, but also has a growing relationship with Jesus, tells him, "You had the same opportunity I did.........you chose not pursue it. You chose to follow your own desires. You didn't really want to stop using, you just wanted some time off so that the pain and all the things weighing you down would stop.
I know both these men, and I confess that it truly has always puzzled me as to why some latch on to Christ and His offer of salvation, while others sit stone cold never moved by anything they hear or read that would cause them to change.
I know that there are a million factors involved here. I know that those who live outside of the will of God and relationship with Jesus are spiritually blind and deaf. As we read in II Corinthians 4:3-4...But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God should shine on them.
I know that to some, when you refer to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, they automatically thing "church"....or "Denomination". They usually have a check list in their thoughts that reject anything to do with either of those. One of the reasons that our services at the ReCovery Church look and sound the way they do. Going back to 1998, I always felt that if you brought someone into a meeting who was in addiction, and the place didn't look like what most churches look life, and the music didn't sound much like what you'd find in most churches, then that person may, for just a moment, drop their guard down and something that was said may strike their hearts. At the least, a seed may have been planted that would turn them toward Christ at some point in their life.
So whenever we hold a service I always pray the same prayer. "Father, let those who hear the word and experience the worship do so with the ability to hear and see. Come and break off the blindness of their spiritual eyes, and remove the hardness from their hearts. Let the word strike them through Your Holy Spirit that they may come to a saving knowledge of You."
What's more, since the pandemic I pray over the live stream that goes out from our meetings. I ask God to use it for His glory, and to bring those who are watching into His truth. A place where we can confess, repent and find healing for the deepest, darkest places inside of us.
Not real sure why I wrote this post this morning. Just felt a kind of weight to do so. Maybe someone out there needs to read it. I let God use it in the way He desires to. Have a great weekend, and if you free come and visit us @ The ReCovery Church located on Broad Street, downtown Gadsden between 4th and 5th streets. If you can't make it, catch us on Facebook on the ReCovery Church on Broad Street page.
God on you this day
Mbb
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