As I read about the Christian church around the world it becomes apparent that it’s impact varies depending on where you are. I first observe the church in Europe that unfortunately appears to be all but dead. In contrast, I hear about the churches in Africa and Asia, specifically China and how they are vibrant and growing and of course the church in the United States, where I live, that appears to be somewhere in between and I wonder why these churches are where they are. I think about the New Testament church and it’s actions that are described in Acts and I ponder why were the miracles that happened there happening so easily and so greatly. I put that alongside the persecuted church around the world and how similarly miracles abound and how the growth in the church is uncontrollable despite massive persecution and resistance. Juxtapose that with how despite centuries of history in Europe there appears to be barely a pulse of faith and in the United States while there is still is some vibrancy I can more easily get a picture of and understand more personally what John was talking about when he talked about the church that was neither hot nor cold. We all know how God felt about that.

The question at hand to me is why. What is the factor that leads to God truly living through his people and things happening that leave no doubt that the one true and living God of the universe not only exists, but that he is preeminent. Some would argue that it is faith and or love and or knowledge of the word. I don’t dispute that these are factors, but I have thought about this for a while and I have also felt for a while that there was something else that I was missing in trying to figure out the answer to this question. In my quest for an answer I go again to John and his description of the church that lost its first love and I think about how it relates to me personally. There are moments when I forget what is important and I waste time where it does not need to be spent and I crave to get back to where I have peace and joy and I want what it is that gets me there. I also think about those growing and vibrant churches and what they have that causes the growth and vibrancy.

What I have come up with is need. The answer is how much do we need God. The church grows, individuals grow, the church impacts the world and individuals impact the world when they deeply realize how much they need God. I think back on my personal salvation experience and that moment that I so crudely cried out to God for help in desperation and He answered me and it was so obvious to others around me and myself that God showed up. I think about the church in China and other places where the fact is that those people put there lives on the line every day they worship God and they face persecution for even thinking about talking about their faith. They need God in a tangible way. I think that sometimes we lose that need for God to show up every day and then he doesn’t because he will not impose His will on us if we do not want it. I think that we so often sit back and complain about where God is when he is exactly where we have put Him. In His own little box that we have created. Jesus talked about moving mountains, but I don’t think that sometimes we think mountains can move. I am not sure we even see a reason why mountains should move. That mountain looks just fine where it is to me and well why bother. We do not need that mountain to move.

God on the other hand has a different perspective. He is wondering why we do not need Him to improve our marriages, why we do not need Him to help us figure out our teenage kids, why we do not need Him to help with that cranky boss or neighbor. Jesus said seek ye first the kingdom and all other things will be added. I see it this way. We have one job. Seek Him, want Him, need Him and He promises to take care of everything else. That’s a sweet deal, but do we need God. I see a direct correlation in what we need and what happens in our walk. I do not think that it is an accident that where God’s people are desperate for Him that miracles are occurring and that where people are more interested in preserving what they have that we squelch the movement of the Holy Spirit. Lamentations tells us that His mercies are new every morning but I think that sometimes we are too happy with old mercies.