Honey, It’s Time to Try Another Church!

 QUOTATION

 

“After sixty-eight years of searching, I finally decided to dismiss this madness, this madness of searching for truth in the fallen world. Instead of falling prey to the antics of boys on the schoolyard, snatching the ball up from the ground, refusing to play the game, because others don’t agree with my way of thinking, refusing to listen to other opinions, hurrying home, isolating myself from the world, I ended this search into madness  when I discovered Jesus! I finally discovered universal truths can only be found with Jesus!”

 

Barry Denzil Haney

 

SCRIPTURE

 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25

 

REFLECTION

 

Honey, it’s time to try another church!

 

Through our fifty years of marriage, these words make my wife cringe, at the prospect of leaving another church family, searching for the proverbial “greener pasture”.

 

Church-hopping is the word that perfectly describes my chaotic journey to salvation. Church-hopping is defined “as someone who desires not to settle at any particular local church, who would rather hop from church to church to suit their yearnings and/or, someone who finds themselves at a different church every couple of years for reasons beyond relocation, doctrine and philosophy of ministry”.

 

Worldly wisdom would say people who are church-hoppers have a problem with commitment. 

 

In her book, Choosing Love: Moving from Ego to Essence in Relationships, Gina Lake makes this statement about why some people cannot commit to anything:

 

“The ego doesn't want to commit to anything—a place, a relationship, a career—because it believes that something better may be possible, and it's willing to forgo what is present for the possibility of something better that isn't present. Essence, on the other hand, is committed to whatever is. It doesn't commit into the future because all that exists is the present, so it commits itself to that.”

 

In the article, “Nine Reasons Why Someone Might Be Afraid of Commitment”, Rachel Murphy lists these reasons a person might not want to commit:

 

·       Relationship expert April Masini attributes peer pressure and fear of failure as a couple of the reasons that people are afraid of commitment.

·       Pew Research found that 42% of Americans didn't have a significant other in 2017.

·       Poor relationships with friends and family, as well as bad past relationships, can cause people to avoid commitment, according to Masini.

 

It would appear many people find it hard to commit because they are afraid they may miss out on something better. This can be true for those who are church-hopping.

 

What does God think about church-hopping?

 

The Holy Spirit is telling me in Hebrews 10:24-25, as a Christ follower, we need to be involved with a local body of believers for mutual exhortation. In addition, James is telling us in James 5:16, we need fellowship with other Christians for spiritual growth:

 

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

 

Although at times I feel changing churches is acceptable for such things as relocation or after prayer and meditation, you don’t approve of a change in the teaching or direction of the church, church-hopping may become unbiblical when done to avoid connection and responsibility.

 

After introspection, I know my church-hopping was primarily done to avoid connection and responsibility. I did not begin a personal relationship with Jesus until November 11, 2019, therefore, during the years of church-hopping, I was searching for something to fill the void in my heart! I used excuses to avoid making a commitment. I was avoiding a close relationship  with a church family, in order to hide my sinful lifestyle. My attitude was that of a cookie-cutter consumer, denying church membership because the particular church I was visiting didn’t give me exactly what I wanted!

 

The bottom line was through the lies and deceptions of Satan, I had blinders on that did not allow me to see the absolute truth – I am saved through grace by faith in Jesus!

 

 

ILLUSTRATION

 

Make Up Your Mind

 

You may recall that Alice in Wonderland said to the Cheshire Cat, 

 

“Would you tell me, please, which way I should go from here?”

 

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the cat.

 

“I don’t much care where,” said Alice.

 

“Then, it doesn’t matter which way you go,” the cat replied.

 

We don’t live in a wonderland. We live in a hostile world with stern limitations. We cannot go just anywhere we want to go. The past is a closed door, and the future depends on what we do today and what it does to us. Time marches on!²

 

PRAYER

 

Our Heavenly Father,

 

Thank you for sending Your Son Jesus to the Earth!

Through His short ministry here on Earth, He showed

His example for living a life pleasing to the Father.

Us how to lead a perfect, sinless life! 

 

He died for all mankind on the Cross at Calvary 

for the propitiation of our sins. Because of His 

sacrifice while living here on Earth amongst us,

we are able spend an eternity with You in Heaven!

 

You have told us, if we believe Jesus is Your Son, 

who died on the Cross to pay the penalty for our 

sins, and on the third day, arose from the dead, 

then, we too will be granted a ticket to Heaven!

 

In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

 

Amen!

 

SONG OF WORSHIP

 

Weary of Wandering From My God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh7L4tWm7sQ

 

God Bless You,

Barry

 

 

1Thomas, Rick. “Why Do I Keep Doing The Same Sin Over And Over Again?,” n.d. https://rickthomas.net/why-do-i-keep-doing-the-same-sin-over-and-over-again/. 

 

2 Tan, Paul Lee. Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996. Print.