Hello.
I was amused to note that a few cinema-goers walked out of the critically acclaimed film, the Artist. Apparently they did not realize that it is a silent film, shot in black and white. When they watched the voiceless, colourless track, they got upset. So they walked out and demanded their money back!
Some have walked out on church for similar reasons. God has not lived up to their expectations. The church has not been entertaining enough. Not enough action. Not loud enough. Why doesn't God behave in the way he ought to?
Aware of this, some churches have tried to make their services into Hollywood-type productions. The more entertaining church is, the more likely that new people will come again. There is a passage in the Bible about how someone felt that God should be the God of Special Effects. Let us see some magic. Bring down some fire from heaven! Come down to us in a tornado or arise from an earthquake. Give us a show. Let us hear your powerful and almighty voice. God did not oblige. Instead he spoke in a "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12 NIV UK).
Let God speak to you today. He speaks to us in so many ways: through the wonders of creation, through the voices of others, through the reading of His word and the singing of songs. Also, miraculously, he speaks directly to our hearts and minds, often in that "gentle whisper".
Don't walk out on God. He doesn't walk out on us, even when we are silent.
Kind regards,
James. |
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