flames

Going to church, like, for a long time, without ever giving your heart to Jesus, would be like being married without ever having fallen in love.  It would be just going through the motions...showing up, volunteering in the nursery, smiling for the church directory photos, enjoying the fellowship, the music, the donuts, the activities, the positive messages....but without any real connection. No real joy without personally knowing Jesus, having Him in your heart of hearts.  Even if the initial high of falling in love with Jesus has passed, the person who once made that decision, prayed that prayer, still has the Holy Spirit living inside, so that nobody what happens, how much grief they bear, how far they stray, they always know that Jesus is near.  That connection is still there.   You don't marry someone just to go through the motions, gain the social status, financial position, or pleasant companionship.  If there isn't a true emotional connection, a bonding that started with a mutual spark, a blazing fire that drew them together without thought of any of those other convenient fringe benefits, a fire "just because"...without that, it's like going to church makes you a Christian as much as living in a barn makes you a cow.  Of course, I reiterate, that blazing fire may smolder down into a barely burning ember in time...but like the Holy Spirit, it should still be there, just waiting to be fanned into flame again.  But if one goes to church without ever accepting Christ into their heart, there is no spark to return to.  no first love.  One must make the step, a simple one, no drama, hailstorms, fireworks or snakes involved, just a simple prayer.  And God takes care of the rest.  Let your heart make the right choice.  Choose Jesus.  And live honestly from the flame of your heart.