Embrace The Possibility Of Something Different

I was listening to the discussion in Sunday School and the teacher’s word caught my attention. “Embrace the possibility of something different by making a different decision.I think there was a quiet chuckle because we all have heard that before. Yet, I carried those words with me. I soon realized why the words had now camped out in my mind. It was because years ago I had made a commitment to get to church on time. And yet, this was the second week I had been late. And though it was health related, I still felt convicted.


For me, this was a poke from my spirit reminding me from where I’ve come. I remember coming to church just in time enough to hear the sermon. All of the things that were going on before the sermon were a distraction for me. That is where I was in my life. It had gotten to a point, I wasn’t consistent in my worship life. Becoming a part of a church family would have placed people too close to me, ensuring another church hurt.

Therefore, I created space and built a wall for each person, place or thing that violated me, made me mad, hurt me; betrayed me, made me uncomfortable and list grew and grew. People from my childhood had a wall. Family members had a brick. Friends had bricks. The wall was so tall and wide, I couldn’t see anything but the wall.

One day a sister from the church, Donna, called me. We had met briefly. But I knew who she was. She spoke to me about my absence. “Who would have noticed, but my family?” I thought. She encouraged me to return and worship and to pray constantly. Her most powerful words were, “The longer you stay away, the harder it is to come back.” I knew her word were true because I was missing the fellowship less and less. Yet I knew my heart was empty and broken.

One morning, I awaken with tears in my eyes. What was I dreaming about? I tried to hold back the tears. But the dam of my heart gave in and all I could do was cry out to the Lord. I thought in the end I would be sick. But that morning, I decided to do something different.

The wall was greater than me. But I know the very wall that I thought was keeping me in, was keeping the Lord out. I was constantly in turmoil trying to convince myself that the wall was a good thing. All of this conflict! No peace!

The Lord knocked down the wall and used the bricks to create a path to him. I had tried every other path. Why not try this path….again?

I knew this time things would be different. I realize all the issues I was running from were inside of me. So, whether I went to church or watched Charles Stanley, the issues were with me! Looking in the mirror allowed me to look inside of my heart. And I owned how broken my heart was and Turned It Over to Jesus! I let it all go!!!

So, when I had the audacity to do something different, I got very different something in return.

So, I acknowledge the nudge of the spirit. In order to get all that God has for me, I need to be in place and be On Time!