If you have been around the Christian world for a while, and even if you haven’t, you might have heard this saying before:
“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” ~ Billy Sunday
I’ve seen it quoted on pictures, posted on social media sites, and even heard many Christians use it.
And I will admit, I’ve been one of those Christians that would quote it as a “slap in the face” to the hypocritical Christians out there. I interpreted it as saying: just because you go to church on Sundays doesn’t mean you are a true follower of Christ, have a true relationship with Him, and/or that you’re going to Heaven.
But recently, this quote has taken on a whole new meaning for me.
Over the past year and a half, I’ve been going through a season in life where God wants me to be in solitude. Basically, what I’ve been learning from this experience is that He wants me to spend way more quality time with Him instead of being so wrapped up in the craziness of life.
I used to always want to be around people and be involved in activities. I, for the most part, have lost that desire. I still love talking to others and hanging out when an opportunity presents itself, but I don’t force it or want it like I used to.
One of the biggest changes, during this season, has been my desire to NOT go to church.
Since my freshman year in high school, church has been my life. I have been very involved in different churches and with different ministries over the past 7 years, so having this desire to not go and be as involved anymore has been very different for me.
I’m completely okay and at peace with it, though. The issue: trying to help others understand where I’m coming from and to not feel judged by them.
I am known as the girl who is very open and opinionated about her faith. Everyone in my life knows that I have a huge heart for “seeking and saving the lost,” aka missions. I don’t try to force my faith on anyone but one of the ways I do try to help the lost is by inviting them to church and church related events.
So when I tell someone that I didn’t go to church on a Sunday morning or that I don’t want to be as involved in church activities anymore, a lot of people (believers and non-believers) seem to give me a hard time about it because it’s “not like me.”
I understand the importance of church. I really do. I, also, understand why so many people (some believers and especially non-believers) DISLIKE the concept of church. I’ve seen it go both ways in many different instances and I’ve even experienced it in my own life.
But, for me personally, I am done letting society try to mold me into and tell me what a “Christian” should and should not be/do.
If I don’t feel like getting up and going to church on a Sunday morning, then I’m not going to. If I feel like hanging out with non-believers at a club, then that’s what I’m gonna do. If I feel like going to a Bible study on a Tuesday night and not going to a regular service on a Wednesday night, then I’m going to do what I feel like I should do.
So going back to the quote, this is the new meaning for me: just because I don’t go to church on a regular basis, doesn’t mean I don’t have a true relationship with Jesus Christ. What truly matters is how I live, how I spend my free time, and whether or not my life reflects the light of Jesus in a way that others may come to know Him.
Now, one last thing:
If you’re someone I know personally and you’re reading this, I just want to say a few words to you.
Please don’t worry about me. I haven’t backslid and I’m not going into a spiritual rut. I’ve already been down that path once before and I’ve come to know the difference between living worldly and living Godly. I’m not completely secluding myself off from all spiritual related fellowship with other believers, either. I’m just choosing, more wisely, how spend my time so that I’m not feeling overwhelmed with life and feel like I’m missing opportunities to better myself as a person.
God is teaching me so, so, so much during this season, especially about myself. I’m letting Him use this time to mold me more and more into the woman I’m supposed to be. Lastly, I’m seeing how He wants to use this time to prepare me for this World Race mission trip and I’m going to let him do that.
Seasons come and go and I’m determined to make this season one I’m not going to regret.
