”I was saved at age 6, and Spirit-filled at age 9,” she said plaintively. “Now I don’t even know there is a God. How do I get my faith back?”
I blurted out an answer that distressed more than blessed. But I still think it’s true.
“You start by showing up.”
Human nature – at least my human nature – has a tendency to self-destruct in the areas where peace or healing or restoration or growth is concerned. How? By isolating. Withdrawing. Withholding or running away from the situation. The myth is that:
- Church is for people who have God all figured out.
- Marriage is for people who remain magically in love and intimate.
- Financial planning is for people who have all the money they need to do what they want.
- Friendships are for people who never get disappointed by other people.
Here’s how it plays out: Life hands you difficulties or trials, and you wonder where God is in the situation. So the last thing you want to do is go hang out with a bunch of Christians who worship as if everything is wonderful. Here’s a novel idea: Show up! I can’t tell you how many times I woke up on Sunday morning with an overwhelming desire to stay home. And I was the pastor! But without fail, the engagement, the worship, the shared life we experienced in that brief period of time renews my faith and strengthens my walk.
Another scenario: Your spouse or significant other has been a source of disappointment or pain. The temptation is to check out – if not out of the house, at least out of the conversation. To quote Dr. Phil, How’s that working out for ya? Instead, try showing up. Do something together. Have a casual conversation. It doesn’t have to be “Romeo and Juliet” – “Everybody Loves Raymond” will do. Just be there.
One more: Sometimes money turns south, and financial pressure can make you feel like a dragon has challenged you to a duel. The temptation is to avoid the stress by doing nothing. But all that does is put more fire in the beast’s belly. Try this instead: Show up! Sit down and look at it. Make a plan. Clarify what it is you’re dealing with. More often than not, you’ll find that the dragon in your head is much bigger than the one you’re actually facing.
I heard somewhere that 95% of the space shuttle’s energy is used just in getting it off the ground and into space. But the view, the power, the capabilities of this marvel of technology are incredible once it shows up into space. The same is true for you and me. There is an infusion of life, vision, power, and great joy awaiting. We have an opportunity to create an even more compelling future than the one we now anticipate. But first, we have to get off the launching pad. Or out of that cave. First, we have to show up.
