I have been to Fellowship Meetings, Youth Rallies, All-night Youth Lock-ins, Youth Camps, Camp Meetings, District Conferences, and General Conferences as long as I can remember! I guess you could say, "I've done it all" when it comes to being involved and attending our organizational "functions". I will be very honest with you, and probably a little too transparent when I say there was a time I felt the "wonder of it all" start to wane. I understand there are "seasons" in life we go through that can affect our emotions, and the way we view things. Through all of the years of "situations" that brought on grief, questioning where God was in "all of this", and wondering "why" He had let my life become peppered with death and sorrow, I became tired, irritable at times, and empty, because I felt like I had "given" all I could give! I know! I know! There are people right now catching their breath, because you can't imagine someone could feel this way. If you can’t believe it, then hear me out. Before I had gone through much of life, and I still felt the excitement of all the events that we attended, I didn't understand either. Now that I'm on the "other side" I can see clearer as I look back.
Why am I saying all of this today? My mind has been bothered that as we get older, if we're not careful, we will lose the "wonder of it all". No, not necessarily the "wonder of God", but the "wonder of the things of God and unity” we have known as we’ve come together in our respective sections, districts, and on a general level. I have said and heard said, "Oh, I don't want to go to conference this year!" (or whatever is happening) In fact, I said it just last year. I didn't go, and wished a million times I had gone after my husband left. I will admit I enjoyed the live services via internet. I sat in my easy chair at home, in my comfortable robe, and drank in the preaching, singing and power of God, but, I also felt the void of not getting to see my family, friends, and people of “like precious faith”. That special time together could impact my life, if I allowed it to! My heart has always wanted to be involved in the work of God, and I don't want to lose “my first love”. What would I do if I didn’t have “my church”, “my organization”, and "my friends”? Where could I go that would bring as much happiness as I’ve had all of my life?
As a child, teenager, and young adult, you couldn't put enough obstacles in my way to keep me from going to whatever might be happening around me. You must remember that was before all the extra conferences that have come along in the last several years. Now, you can't go to everything that's happening or you would never be home. When all we had was our "major functions" there was an excitement about "getting to go" that I will never forget! My insides got excited as I started packing for the "big event"! When I started feeling "nonchalant" about being involved in God's Kingdom, I started getting worried about ME.
When you're feeling physically sick, you know when you need to go to the doctor. You also know the symptoms of when you start getting "spiritually sick"! When symptoms start showing signs of "disease" we need to get ourselves to the Doctor and ask Him to "heal our heart". I have seen those who withdraw themselves from the "body", for whatever reason, and it has always scared me when I felt or saw them as they “nursed a grudge”, was "too tired to be there", or “too busy”. After awhile they fell into the "SNARE of ISOLATION"! When the doctor isolates a sick person, it's because they are contagious! When a person "isolates themselves" it's usually because there is a "spiritual problem" and they haven't dealt with it, yet! I am not condemning anyone, I just know what I know, and I was almost a victim to that horrible trap. Whenever I started feeling like I didn't "want to be with anyone" I knew something was wrong with ME! My heart cried out, "Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me...cast me not away from Your presence"!
I am concerned when men and women start losing their "wonder" for the things of God. When we lose our "wonder" it affects our children and grandchildren. Let me ask a question.....Who kept the "wonder" alive for us when WE were teenagers and young preachers, and preacher's wives? There were those who always talked about how wonderful it was going to be to "get to go" to conference, camp meeting, youth camp, the rally, and fellowship meeting! I remember my parents preparing to leave for one of these functions, and how excited we all would be as they talked about what was going to be happening. They passed the excitement down to me and I couldn't wait to get dressed to go with them. There were occasions, such as General Conference that we didn't go until we were old enough to enjoy them, but I couldn't wait for Mother and Daddy to get home, because they would bring me gifts from conference, and also bring home new "records" (projects for those in the younger generation) of the singers, quartets, and trio's that sung in the services. They would tell us about the "deep conviction" that fell when a man of God was preaching. Oh, there were so many things to hear about!
WHO is going to keep the "wonder of it all" going for OUR sons, daughters, and grandchildren if we don't? They shouldn't have to carry the whole load! They are looking to us for their example. I know, they are grown, they may be a pastor, or assisting in a church, or maybe they are evangelizing. Maybe they are good saints involved in the church, but wherever they are, whatever they're doing, they are looking to us. If Mom and Dad lose "the wonder of it all", how long do you think it will take them to do the same?
I have emptied my heart for right now. I hope I have helped someone who has been watching as their dreams seem to be fading into the horizon. Maybe you have not seen them come to pass, and you are plagued with failure, and disappointments. Maybe you have lost sight of the future, and the excitement for the work of God. Maybe you can’t see the "big picture" because of a hurt that has come your way. SHAKE IT OFF! You don't want to "ride off into the sunset" defeated. You must pick up and keep "running this race". At the end of the race is when we can stop, sit down, and rest a little while. Come On! Let's get our FERVOR back for the work of God! Let's get our EXCITEMENT back when it's time to be with each other! We've got kids and grandkids who want to be involved in a church that is full of EXCITEMENT, POWER, and WONDER! We are the ones that can give them what they long for!! No one else can do it like we can!
Special note: You know I love every one of you. You are my friends and family. If I have opened my heart for all to see, and it will help someone who is struggling, that's all that matters. A few times while writing this post I thought about not pushing the little "orange button" that says, "Publish Post", but I am compelled in my spirit to go ahead and do it. I hope if you've never been where I've been, and seen what I've seen, then you will never have to face the giant of "isolation", for it is one that is hard to fight if it ever takes root in your heart. As the end of time comes closer let's support and love one another like never before! I need you, and you need me. Not that I am anything, but when we all "pull together" how happy we'll be!
