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"I'm Sick Of This Church!"

Written by Shnide on

From: dthog.blogspot.com

Is that how you're feeling these days?

Tired of the routine?

Tired of the music?

Tired of the preaching?

Tired of the pastor?

Thinking of moving on, or moving out?

I've been studying the OT Israelites again for the past few days. There's so much value in that, because as Paul once said these Scriptures have been given to us so that we don't repeat the same mistakes that Israel made...or at the very least so that if we are repeating them, we can see our reflection in these accounts and take quick action to change things.

The questions I posted up above come out my study of Numbers 11. The Israelites had just been released by God from the Egyptians, and yet within three days of their release they were already grumbling about things and pining for the "good old days".

Sound like some of the folks in your church? Things have changed and they aren't happy? Maybe you're the one that's not happy. If that's the case Jesus says that it's because your focus is on yourself, and not really on God. Look at this:

John 6:22-26

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill."

Many, many Christians -- maybe even you -- are seeking God and going to church so that they can experience personal abundance and spectacular miracles. Perhaps there was a time when Christ had filled them up, but the abundance didn't last for long, and they're church shopping with a leanness of soul (Psalm 106:15) expecting some new pastor or new worship team to bring them another big meal from God. And when they don't get it, they either leave or start to complain.

Ex 16:2-3
Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, "Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."

Some of you may be feeling the same way about your church leaders. "You used to feed us well! We don't like this new direction you've taken us on. Just take us back! We got more to eat in the old days. Are you taking us in this new direction just so that we can spiritually die?"

I can't tell you how many pastors and church leaders have heard those plaintive cries. But listen to Moses' response:

"Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord." (Exodus 16:8)

Why? Because they wanted God for what He could abundantly do, not for who He is. As Jesus said, "You want My miracles more than you want Me." They wanted God on their own terms, not on His. And the wilderness ALWAYS reveals the motives of our heart. It separates the selfish from the selfless.

Those seeking only the benefits of their relationship with God, and not God Himself, will always faint and complain in the dry desert places. It's one thing to seek the Lord for what He can give you or do for you, but it's quite another to seek the Lord for who He is. The first is out of selfishness, and at best you'll have a very immature relationship with God. But the one who seeks God for Who He Is the one who will endure and spiritually live when the loaves aren't always multiplying.

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you" -- when and if God sees fit.

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