Just Show Up

 

Have you ever found yourself standing in church, music playing, people singing…..and you’ve got nothing? You stand there feeling numb and detached wondering if the people around you can sense your disconnect. You almost feel like a fraud amongst the crowd saying prayers and singing words to a song that in that very moment, mean nothing to you. Maybe if you sing louder, you think…maybe if I close my eyes…maybe if I really really try to be present, I’ll feel something; but you don’t.

Then you start to wonder if you should even be singing! Should you even be praying? Should you have even showed up at church that day? Here you are in this holy place singing grace filled songs, praying faith filled prayers, just not feeling anything.

What do we do with times like this? Should we disengage all together and wait until we “feel” like worshiping again? Should we retreat until the time feels right?

Well, the reality is, that as Christians if we are faithful to spend time in worship on a regular basis in our lives, there are going to be times that we are just not into it. There are going to be days that we feel disconnected. There are going to be moments that we find ourselves standing in the midst of a congregation pouring out their praise with our heart feeling empty.

So back to that question…Should we still go to church those days? Should we still worship?

The answer is a definitive YES! Because the days we don’t feel like worshipping are the days we need worship most of all! It’s not the peace that brings the worship, it’s ultimately the worship that brings the peace. Those “Praise you in the storm” moments when it’s nothing but music or words or ideas coming at us, seemingly bouncing off us like rain hitting the repellent of our hearts…Its those moments that are the most vital days to worship.

Theres something so important when it comes to worship, and that is to understand what it actually is. We worship not because of the consistency of our hearts but of the reliability of our Lord. A God who is the same yesterday today and always. A Heavenly Father who loves us even when we’re unlovable. A Savior that gives it all for us before we even realize we needed anything.

The realization is that it isn’t about US at all……….it’s about HIM; and the reality is that there is great power in JUST SHOWING UP. Remember there’s nothing we can do for God’s love or our salvation. We can’t buy it or work to gain it, but we need to show up for it. We need to present ourselves to God in a posture of surrender; making our hearts available for Him to fill.

You will have days that you find yourself standing in church, music playing, people singing…..and you’ve got nothing.

That’s the best way to come to Christ. With nothing. JUST SHOW UP. Let your presence be your praise and your surrendered heart your sacrifice.

JUST SHOW UP.

-Pastor Patti

Here's a great song that speaks into this.......https://youtu.be/nnzEJy4c9FE?si=wodhu221jjP7UNbR

"Heart Wide Open"-Mack Brock