Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Event Planning

This has been a busy past few weeks---every area of my life was just chock full of events! We had grandchildren come and stay, we had good friends come for a few days to visit, we had a birthday party for a three year old, several speaking engagements and a licensing exam. Churchwise, we had VBS, several fellowship meals, singings and a picnic at the lake. At work we had a birthday party for a resident who turned 100 years old, we hosted a red hat rally, several outings to nearby towns, a cake walk and many other events. Everyone I know is tired and ready for some downtime. Personally, I love events! I like the planning and preparing and dreaming about details. (Unfortunately, I tend to be a lot like Clark Griswold in the Vacation movies---usually the event is much more wonderful in my mind than it turns out to be in reality).
It occurred to me that sometimes, many times, very often, we treat Christianity like it is an event. We "pencil" worship in on our calendars so that we don't forget? We figure out what we are going to wear on Saturday and lay out clothes for our children. We plan what we will eat and we remind ourselves to say only good things ---(I mean, there are some things we just don't say when we were are with "church-people"--right?) We write our checks for the offering, we wipe the dust off our Bibles and set them out in the car (that is if we even brought them in from our last "church event"). We plan and prepare and then we attend only to come home tired from our two hour event, relieved that it is over, glad that we are no longer "on", ready to rest. The event is over---oh, it was successful but it is now over! And we begin resting up for the next "event", the next time we are called on to act like church---whether it is going to visit a sick brother or sister, share the gospel with a lost neighbor or just behave like Christ's people should behave.
I really pray that this does not describe most of us. I pray that we all understand that Christianity is not what we do---it is who we are. Ned always says that apple trees don't produce apples to prove they are apple trees, they produce apples because that is what apple trees do! Christians don't worship and behave in a righteous manner to prove they are Christians----that is simply what Christians do! Worship, evangelism, encouragement, righteous living, ministry----these are not events, but rather lifestyles! We don't need to plan to be a Christian---He already worked out all the plans. We don't need to prepare to become a Christian, we just need to do it. Christianity began with an event--the sacrifice of Messiah. That event was planned for all eternity. Now it is up to us to just "be the Church"---all day everyday. every moment, every hour---be the church. Christianity is not an event!

Peace
Neva

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,

I read the title and thought about the power of events in the church. God at Sinai structured worship around events.

Then I read the article and really liked your point. Christianity can't be an isolated event in our life. As a friend said in a sermon, "You can't worship one god six days a week, then come and worship the true God on Sunday."

So you're post gave me two lessons, the one you intended and another I found on my own.

Have a great day!

Grace and peace,
Tim

8:29 AM  
Blogger Kathy said...

"Christianity is not an event!

What a wonderful simple way to state a marvelous and eternal concept and one we'd all do well to remember. May we write it on our hearts, minds, hands, feet that we not forget it ever. This is the kernel truth of God's commission to us to GO! MAKE Disciples! TEACH! BAPTIZE! ENCOURAGE! HELP! MATURE! SERVE, SERVE, SERVE!!!

You did it again, Neva. Blessings for your faithful exercise of God's gift to you.

9:36 AM  
Blogger ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Wow could I relate to this...I remember a time where when I would sit down and plan out my week I would actually write "wed night church" on my planner.......now it's just automatic. I think you're so right!! How are things going with your son? I've been praying for him. Take care!

10:20 AM  
Blogger The Preacher's Household: said...

Being a 1 1/2 day a week event Christian is like a preacher only working 1 1/2 days a week - it just doesn't work that way.
You are what you are and even if others can't tell a difference (although usually they can) God knows.

I do want to take the time to say that all of your wonderful posts produce some of the best comments in the blog world. I really appreciate what people have to add here.
Kathy

10:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are so right--it has to be more than what we do--otherwise we are nothing more than Pharisees.

Great post.

Pat

12:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love this analogy! You are so right, Christianity is not an event! Wow!

Georgia

12:53 PM  
Blogger Monalea said...

1. Congratulations! I knew you would pass.....You are so smart.

2. I have missed you.

3. Thank you for writing from your heart and allowing the Holy Spirit to use you. I always get a nudge from your blog.

Love you 2-3-6

Monalea

4:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too, have penciled in "church". Your words are so convicting. You are so right, we cannot treat our faith like its an event. I will not pencil it in again. Thank you for teaching me this lesson.

Blessings
Corinne

4:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen, Neva. I am with Tim, I like your point. Preach on, sister.

Dan

5:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am never disappointed when I stop by to read a post or two. Thank you for your tireless effort to encourage and mature the Saints. And congratulations on your licensing test.

Mark

10:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen, sister! Christianity is not an event. We are Christians and we practice Christianity because we are Christians. No need to pencil it in, plan to do it two hours a week, etc. Just do it- or rather Just BE it.
good job, Neva

Interested Bystander

10:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who needs to purchase a devotional when he can as well visit your blog? I just returned from my Great Britian trip and loved to catch up - great thoughts summarised.

And congrats that you made it :-)

In Christ,
Helen

12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a thought provoking post. Your words caused me to assess whether my faith has become simply an event in my life or whether I live it day in and day out.
Great thoughts.

Carol

4:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post, great thoughts. I really needed this today. Thank you.


Shari

8:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Live it! Be it! Don't plan it!

Great post!

Carlos

10:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am ashamed to say that I also have written "church" in my daytimer, on each Sunday and Wednesday of the month. I will not do that again. You have pricked my heart with this post and provided me with an aha moment. It is very easy to compartmentalize our faith. Easy but wrong. Thank you, Neva.

Glynnis

10:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations on passing your test! I knew you would do just fine.

11:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The only event we should really focus on is the sacrifice and resurrection of our Lord.
Good post today, neva.


Dean

12:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I read and reread this post, deciding if it applied to me or not. I think growing up in the church, makes worship not so much an event but a habit, soemthing we do without putting much thought into it. That is almost worse than it being an event.

Thanks for this.

Mary

12:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen!

Yvonne

8:38 PM  
Blogger Liz Moore said...

Amen!! I love worship!! And it is such a great part of my life. Christianity is definitely Not an event! Great Post! Blessings!

8:20 AM  

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