Losing Direction?…B.U.G.S.
Updated: Apr 4, 2022
Our churches are in crisis would certainly be the theme if we look at the headlines in the news today. One would have to wonder what is happening within our churches. There is an obvious breakdown in the overall function of the church.
Are we losing our purpose?? Are we losing direction from God?
This subject matter is worthy of mentioning when you think about the weight the ministry (Church) deals with daily. This weight is one that a leader or pastor faces constantly within the (Church). There is an overwhelming need to have faithful and consistent workers in the church. There is a need to have people in the congregation that are truly living what they are being taught. Yet there seems to be an unwillingness to actually follow Christ as instructed by the Word. It is no wonder the pastors and leadership of many churches die from exhaustion or give up on the journey of leading and pastoring God’s people.
One may think that this is not a serious problem because it doesn’t cross their path. But to be real, it’s worth the effort to realize the problem exists. It is a problem that surely exists in our various congregations. Drastic actions are being made as a result of this serious issue. Actions that provide only temporary solutions. Solutions that can destroy anyone in their journey not only in life but with Christ.
So why are we losing direction in our churches today? By that, I mean that there is a vast number of us (churches/believers) that have lost that true passion for worship and purpose. It appears that maybe there is a great falling away of believers because we are in the last days.
But my question to you is, “Should we use this fact as a reason not to be more diligent for God? Short answer, NO!
There is and always will be a certain amount of expectation required from the body of Christ regardless of the situation at hand. Certainly, there is a loss of direction within the church environment. It would appear that things are going a little haywire!! This type of atmosphere is a playground for Satan to continue his work on believers in Christ. These things are called “B.U.G.S.” (Being Under The Grip Of Satan). Really, to put it plainly, allowing Satan to infect and destroy our purpose in Christ!!
Keep in mind that a bug that lands on a sheep’s head can eventually set up a place to hatch more eggs thereby crippling the sheep if it is allowed to remain. These BUGS can blind a sheep if not removed properly. Even better than that, these bugs will infect the head of the sheep without proper prevention.
When we as believers become relaxed and complacent in our worship and serving God, there is a great disconnect that occurs. This disconnection is what causes the drastic issues faced by the church body today. This disconnection is enhanced daily because of the world (environment) we live in today. The message is expressed by this world is to be prosperous and enjoy life to the fullest. A detail that surely captivates the minds of many believers. A busy and very materialistic world is what we have become accustomed to. For that cause, we have strayed away or forgotten God.
We that maybe started out on a high with Christ because it was an experience that we truly needed in our lives. But as time goes on, we tend to revert in many ways back to the things that are comfortable to us. Things that we forget to count as B.U.G.S. (Being Under The Grip of Satan). Must we be reminded that we are as stated below:
Matthew 5:14 states “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.“
Surely our light has become dim in the eyes of the world. The busier we become the more the light is hidden. We have become “lukewarm” just as they did in Laodicea.
Today, there seems to be a loss of direction in our churches. Better yet, we are losing ground or status in this world as a place of rescue and salvation.
Revelation 3:15-16 states…”I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.“
If we just stop for a moment and think about the task assigned to us once we become a believer, we would see that we have strayed off the path set before us to follow.
Surely each of us can see the signs within the walls of the church pointing in all different directions. No one direction is pursued passionately enough to make it count in accomplishing our God-given task.
These are some of those B.U.G.S. (Being Under The Grip Of Satan) that seem to work their way into the fabric of a Christian’s journey.
There is a seemly lost or LACK OF PURPOSE within our congregations. The busy lifestyles that we lead have little or no room for developing a true relationship for God. The pressure of the world to get ahead (Another One Of Those B.U.G.S.), has moved to the forefront of our minds. It’s harder and harder to make room for Jesus when our lives are so overfilled. The Grip of Satan has even more room to work when we are in this type of situation. Thereby, we have no sense of purpose or rather that purpose (desire) that we had for God is slowly snuffed out of our lives.
There is surely evidence that we suffer from a LACK OF LEADERSHIP. The present time that we live in insists that the idea of following Christ is out of date and there is no need to have someone in place to lead us in our walk. “Certainly this is a LIE”. The structure of the church was clear. It represents the place of fellowship and worship. A place that has to have proper leadership to instruct those seeking a life with Christ. But, we are in a time or era that is filled with false leaders that lack the principles that back up the teachings of Christ. The focus has changed to one of numbers and money instead of souls and salvation.
Wouldnt’ you say we are losing direction? Sheep need to be lead, right?
There has to be true leadership in place to accomplish the task of teaching the Gospel. Leadership that is not influenced by the consensus of the majority. We must stay on track with God to teach and lead others.
We are in a time that reflects the LACK OF DISCIPLESHIP.
By that I mean there is a lack of discipleship (being a true disciple and follower of Christ). We live in a time where “everything goes!” Something that is considered justified because God is a God of love. He loves me just the way I am. That’s true!! But, there is more to the process. God loves us enough to want to see us relieved of the debt of Sin by shedding His blood on the cross. Yet, in the process, He (God) wants to have people that believe, worship and follow Him with a converted Christ-like mind. To be a disciple of Christ, you must learn of His ways and follow them. The process grows as you take on the mind of Christ. Can’ you see the presence of B.U.G.S.?
If you don’t get this process and understand it, Satan is happy because you are blinded from the truth.
Philippians 2:5 states…”Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
In this world of technology, there is a clear LACK OF BIBLICAL FOUNDATION. It is important not only to have a Biblical foundation but to know it and live it. There is a lack of biblical foundation in today’s world. Our belief must be formed around the foundations of the gospel as revealed in the Bible. Another one of those B.U.G.S. (Being Under The Grip Of Satan). As long as you (the believer) lack the nourishment of the Word of God, Satan is again, happy. Without proper nourishment, there can be no growth.
We live in a world that LACK ENTHUSIASM and TRUTHwhen it comes to serving God. It appears that we have become distracted by the things of this world. The truth of the Gospel is losing its savor because we are being fooled by the tactics of the devil. Another one of those B.U.G.S.
Galatians 3:1 states, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”
We mustn’t be fooled by the things the world offers. Our focus should be on knowing and living the truth expressed in God’s Word. Satan has no right to the things God has for us. Don’t allow him to steal that which you once experienced and know exists in Christ.
We live in a time where self-gratification is more important than sacrifice. It seems that the primary focus is on entertaining those that attend our worship services. Have we (the church) lost its ability to help and develop souls for Christ? Don’t misunderstand me when I say this…Music and singing are key to our worship services…BUT …it should all be for the glory of God. Not to entertain us!!!!
Our God-given assignment is to spread His love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are we forgetting that sharing the Gospel requires dedicated and true believers? Have we placed this task on the back burner of our lives to get other things done?
Have we lost direction??? Good question, huh?
Thank you for listening…
Prayerfully Submitted (An Unfinished Story)
Evang. Debbie Watkins
Disclaimer* These posts are no in any way posted based on expert input. My expertise comes from LIVING LIFE in the CHURCH. Please read with an open mind, attitude, and heart. Thank you.
