Permission to believe.

In light of the statistic Pastor John shared on Sunday (95% of people attending church do not expect God to show up), something in our devotion during staff meeting sparked this thought. I may have shared this before, if so, forgive me. But if not...I am still in awe of this experience...

One Sunday morning late Summer I was on to bring the message. Being the guy for the day, I showed up around 6:30 a.m. to unlock the doors, turn on the lights, and pace the halls until other folks started to show up. I went to my office, plunked my stuff on my desk, and walked down to the sanctuary to turn on the lights, check temperature, and drop off my notes and bible. I hit the double doors between the Fellowship Hall area and worship center, and something changed. I sensed it. It got stronger as I neared the sanctuary doors, and stepping in, I was stopped by a palpable feeling of presence. Something, or someone, other than me was in that space. It was dark, the sun just starting to lighten the corners of the room. My heart started racing, but not in the scared way. My spirit realized quickly that it was Him. My mind's eye was given a very real picture of God, right there in the sanctuary, leaning over and filling up the heights of the room. It was like He was waiting...waiting for me...for us...for the pews to fill up and for laughter and music to rise to meet Him. That Sunday morning gave a glimpse of what goes on every Sunday, I believe -- that God is there, waiting for us, long before we show up. I wish you all could have experienced that moment with me...

So, I ask...if that is the case -- God IS there, waiting...what does that mean for us? Does that change how we might look at Sunday morning? Does that impact how we do what we do? Should it? And what does that mean for the rest of our week? What happens when we really believe God shows up to meet with us?

Read Acts 3 (thanks, Pastor Chris!) for an example...