Outside the Church Walls

The nation lost and dying// Searching for You// Creation waits// Children with the word of God// Written on their hearts// Show love to the world// We need to wake up, wake up// Live like God// Pour out love// We need to wake up, wake up// Live like God// Pour out love// I know it's sad// That the gift we have// We keep it for ourselves// Most of the time// The world is looking// For a love that's locked up// Inside these four walls// Break the door down and shine// Our face is set// Our goal is heaven// Jesus, You are the well of love// We'll pour You out -Leeland

So yesterday I went and got the new Leeland CD because they are amazingly amazing and I love their music very much. This is a song called Wake Up, and as per usual, listening to the songs yesterday, I wasn't in love with any of the songs like I was with their first CD, but recognize that it is extremely rare that I actually enjoy a worship CD the first time I hear it. However, this song stood out to me yesterday because it uses Toms in the drumming pattern which always make me like songs even more. And this morning after I dropped Mike off at work, I listened to the song over, and over again the whole way home. It typically takes me a while to be able to pick out lyrics, and so today I got them. And this song is just super awesome to me. Not only does it sound super neat, but it's a really great message. We as Christians tend to keep out Christianity locked up within the confines of the four church walls-however, what God calls us to is to pour out love to the world, and take "church" outside of church on Sunday's. We really do need to pour out the love of Jesus to others-in the community, and the world. That looks different for everyone; but the idea is the same. For me, pouring out that love comes in the form of service. For Mike, worship. For others, Administration, Healing, Prayer, any number of things really. The point is, God has given us these amazing gifts and talents, and why we keep them locked up inside the Church is beyond me, really. I know that I tend to want to serve in the church and hide there and be surrounded by the safety and comfort of other Christians, but I'm completely missing the point if I want to stay locked up there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that I quit serving in the church itself, but just that I need to take my God-given gifts outside of those walls, and start putting myself in slight less comfortable situations so that I can share the love of God with others.

It's a dangerous thing to pray sometimes, because God does hear them and answer them. It's like when the world says "Be careful what you wish for", only be careful what you pray for, because God will use you if you ask him to. So, here's me asking. God, bring me to a new place, a place that is less comfortable for me. Help me to use my gifts of service to help others, and bring your joy and light outside the walls of the Church.