God is Working

I heard a comment recently that gave me pause.  A visitor, upon entering the sanctuary at church, said something to the effect of, "So this is where it all happens."  Instantly a thought popped into my head:  "You'd be surprised how seldom things happen here."  This was not a knock on God's work or His people but to point out the sermons preached, songs of worship sung and prayers to God for about an hour a week is a fraction of the depth and breadth of God's relationship with us.  It is a supremely special time to have fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ at church and an incredible privilege to proclaim God's word.  A lot of awesome and wonderful things happen at church--but one room isn't where it all happens.

I realise the visitor was not making a theological statement, and I did not think what was said needed correction.  What it did likely illustrate, however, is a distinction made in Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness by Jerry Cook between "church as a field" and "church as a force."  The "church as a field" is an approach that suggests church is a building where things happen, and thus it is imperative we coax or invite people into the church so they can be taught and ministered to by a pastor.  The "church as a force" concept is that the church is the Body of Christ comprised of individual members who bring Jesus and His love to minister wherever they go to whomever they meet as God leads them.  The gathering of the church in fellowship to preach the word at set times is good, and to be moved to live for Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit every day is also very good.

What happens when a person thinks the sanctuary is where it all happens--and nothing seems to be happening?  If their expectations are unmet, if people do not see or hear what they are accustomed to, they may just go to another church.  They may say, "The worship is dead" when that statement may be more indicative of their own feelings or spiritual slumber more than the hearts of God's people.  They might lament the lack of miraculous healings, spiritual deliverance or people falling to the ground because that to them is part of the church experience.  I have observed that when people do not see things are happening, they may not believe God is working.  The temptation follows to make something happen, and this is not good when it is of the flesh and not of God.

One thing I love about God is He does not judge according to appearances but examines the heart.  I believe, even when we do not see anything visibly happening, God is at work for our good and His glory.  The one who shouts excitedly is not more filled with the Holy Spirit than the silent saint who repents or wonders at the awesomeness of God.  The one who raises their hands or falls to their knees is not more "spiritual" than the person just sitting there.  Our hearts are where God is always working, and when the LORD begins to transform our hearts our thoughts, decisions, attitudes and actions change too.  God is always at work as Moses sang in Exodus 15:11:  "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"  In a warehouse, in a purpose-built church building, in our homes, with music or in silence, in the heart of a person sitting on a chair or laying on a bed, God is working wonders.  That is a reason why we gather together in worship as a church--to testify of the awesome things God has done, is doing and will do.