Looking for Action

“It was boring.” Those were the words I heard more than once after attending the Nascar race on Saturday evening. Why would fans be so critical? It all has to do with expectation. When it comes to entertainment people become strange creatures. Each of us travels over the highway daily praying for safety. Yet when it comes to racing we want to see wrecks and plenty of them. Most of the time we avoid conflict at all cost, but when watching a hockey game we anxiously await the moment when the players take off the gloves and go at it. My wife says this all has to do with a male’s perspective, but as dangerous as it is I disagree. All of us engage in this ironic twist for the sake of action. We want to walk away from a venue having been thrilled and fulfilled. Why would I bring this up? We feel the same way about church. No one wants to attend our worship services feeling like they need a double shot of espresso in order to stay awake. It has been said that people want to feel satisfaction, and to do so they must have a sense that at some moment in the service they have encountered God. Although there are many things I can do, producing that God moment requires something way beyond my ability. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit. We have those encounters when we step back and surrender to His will allowing Him to take complete control. You want action? Then let this be your theme song the next time you attend church. “Come Holy Spirit I need you, come sweet Spirit I pray, Come in your strength and power, Come in your own special way.” Singing this song may not provide you with a lot of entertainment, but when the Spirit feels welcome he comes bringing all the action we need.