“I’d rather be with a man who was a believer than with a guy obsessed with church”
I have been a church girl my entire life, getting involved in all aspects of church; from the choir, to the hosting team, to helping in the kid’s church. But growing up in the church and then going off to university has exposed to me the difference between church and faith.
Don’t get me wrong, church is very important. Hebrews 10 vs. 25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” God wants his children to come together in fellowship. Matthew 18 vs. 20 says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” There is a blessing in gathering with other believers. And personally, I find comfort in being surrounded by people who share the same faith as me.
However over time I found, the more I got into “church”, the more I felt disconnected from God. My faith was suffering because rotas, songs, and bible nuggets were all that filled my head. Some people think that going to church and having faith are the same thing. Not true. I was that girl who went to all the events and conferences; attended all the bible studies and connect groups, served in every team and lead a few too. But this caused me to miss what church was all about. I forgot that church is about God and bringing people to God. It is not about being a BNOC (big name on campus), being seen or being known by everyone.
Like others, I forgot that faith is the basis for it all. It is the crux of Christianity. It is why I pray and praise. It is what drives my day to day and keeps me going when life decides to go left. And as I grow and work to strengthen my faith, I know for a certainty that I would much rather be with a guy who is a true believer than a church lover. I could not date Honey circa 2009.
A true believer will get involved in church, but while they are serving, their focus will be on God. They know that all the extra things that go on in church are needed for the modern day church to run, but all of it is nothing without God. True believers see church as just an extension of their walk with Christ. It’s just one way in which they get to know Christ and serve his vision.
So to all the men (and women) out there, please remember that those lights and speakers are just a means to draw people closer to God. You should be one of those people. Focus on the right things and don’t substitute church for God. Only one is the key to eternal life and true joy.
By Honey Gabriel