Living for Today

The Lord led me into a life-changing discovery not too long ago. My wife and I moved on from a church we had been working at and attending for 15 years. Our job was done, and we believed the Lord was calling us on to a new assignment. It was a severe change in that we had to leave many dear people we had grown to love. But we felt it was right, so that was a comfort to us.

In the search for a new church home, we visited several churches. One was a denomination that was very different from what we were accustomed to. It was there we felt we were to stay for a season. What was very different, we soon found very comforting, and it ignited a new power in our relationship with the Lord. We felt we were able once again to understand holiness and reverence toward the Lord.

“Each generation of the church in each setting has the responsibility of communicating the gospel in understandable terms, considering the language and thought-forms of that setting.”

Francis Schaeffer

1912-1984

Author

What I came to understand is that God, in His great love for us, has allowed so many different churches. People have complained that we should not have denominations because we are all one in Christ. Yes, we are all one body, but we are all very different. Some feel they worship God best in a free and exciting service; others like a more traditional service. It is a beautiful thing that the Lord has allowed us all to worship from our hearts in a way that we understand and like.

Scripture tells us to seek understanding. That comes by being with like-minded people worshiping and learning in a way with which we can connect. Some things are Biblical tenants of the faith that we all must embrace, but that does not include music or worship style or ritual. I love the quote from Mark Twain, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me; it is the parts that I do understand.”

Do not close yourself off to the Body of Christ just because they worship or do things differently than you. Success-Minded People must understand that unity in the faith is not a case of everyone being the same. Or, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We may all come from different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” It is the fact that we are all sinners saved by the blood of Christ, which makes us one. Be where God leads you and recognize that though it may be different for your brother or sister, it is just as good.

“Make your ear attentive to wisdom; incline your heart to understanding.”

Proverbs 2:2

You can learn more about Personal Development from author and speaker, John Patrick Hickey. To get his books, training material, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   

© 2020 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without the permission of the author.