Initial Reactions

My church, for the last three years, has had a women's worship night...with women leading worship and women speakers. The first two were amazing...so part of me wanted to go to this year's (which happened to be last night).

But there was another part of me that didn't want to go at all...

I saw a picture of the women's band that was coming to play...and I really had my doubts that it was going to be all that amazing.

Yet, I needed a night out with the ladies, so I decided I was going to go...whether it was lame or not.

My dear friend decided it would be fun to get a group of women to go out to dinner beforehand, which sounded like a blast to me. She put an open invite out on Facebook to all the women in our church. We ended up with a very diverse group of ladies in very different places in life. But, it was such a blessing...knowing that we are all a part of the body of Christ...and that we all have each other.


When we arrived at the church for the worship night, I was pleasantly surprised. The women's band was a.maz.ing. They shared parts of their testimonies, and had many of us sharing empathetic tears. It was a huge blessing to be there...and I know God orchestrated it to be just the way it was for me...and for all of the other women there.


When I got home last night, I started thinking about how often I allow my initial reactions to shape my overall view of things. It's like that whole conditioning concept: the way someone reacts to something the first time they experience it tends to condition the way they'll react the next time...which will probably be very similar to the first.

Even though my experiences with the other two worship nights had been positive...my initial reaction to this one was negative.

I hate that, in many situations, I tend to think of the negative before the positive. I see all the things that could go wrong...instead of focusing on what could go right.



And, many times, I will try to get myself out of situations that seem too negative to me...instead of seeing that God could have a purpose for me being in them.


I hate that, as Americans, we are so consumed with being comfortable and safe. Where does it say in the Bible that we are supposed to be comfortable and safe all the time? We are called to go into the world and preach the Gospel to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 28:19-20). It doesn't have a disclaimer that says, "But only when it's safe to do so...and only in situations that you are most comfortable". We are not called to live comfortable lives that don't involve risk...we are called to share God's love with everyone.


I realize that my story of the worship night last night is not a story of risking my personal safety to share the Gospel with someone...but I think it just reminded me how often we choose not to do things...because they are out of our comfort zone or don't seem to be "fun".

I really want to live my life not worrying about being safe or comfortable. I really do want to live the way God has called all of us to live. And, even though I know I am not perfect...and I tend to get hung up on stupid things...I really do want my life to reflect Christ.



That is what is on my heart today.

(All photos were taken on our honeymoon 3 1/2 years ago)

(Linking up with Casey)