Playing the Long Game

The church is meant to facilitate health; it is not intended to addict us to programs or personalities.

If we actively pursue getting better and stronger in God, we won't just love the feeling we get from attending; we will also grow closer to God and have the life of genuine redemption God intended for us.

Everyone has an experience that shaped their view of the church. And no one's perspective should ever be discounted. However, unrealistic and unmet expectations can cause you to lose hope in the church being the haven God intended.

You know what I'm talking about; wanting a quick fix instead of, that long course of treatment required to fix that spiritual bum knee permanently. It takes a change of mindset to prepare yourself for the long game. Crutches aren't a fix, and neither is someone carrying you everywhere you need to go. So what's the answer?

It starts with a changed mind. Did you know that's what repentance means? It means to change your mind, go in a different direction. The mindset of spiritual health causes us to divorce the mentality of the quick fix.

It's about determination, will. Yours. It's taking your will and submitting it to God's will. It's determining to stick it out, walk the walk and be consistent with it. God promises that if you begin, He will meet you and bring you forward. Embrace His plan for you.

If you haven't already started, begin today. If you have already begun to, continue. Take courage and trust in the One who died to make the long game possible and within the context of the church.