The XP: Not that into you

Hi guys! I really enjoyed the XP last night and hope that you did too. I wanted to follow up with you to see if you had any questions or comments. Just a note... when you comment on these, you have the option to do so anonymously, in case you want to ask something but don't want everyone to know it was you.

Did you enjoy the panel? Was it helpful to know that you're not the only ones who struggle with feeling "not that into" God?

The time in my life when I can look back now and really see myself in that state was my sophomore year in college. In high school, I was very involved in church... Being the only senior high student in our youth group, I really took hold of the leader role, so I always felt the need to be a good example. Even during my freshman year at Clemson University, all my Christian friends were there, so it was easy to keep up my spiritual habits and stay "close to God."

But my sophomore year, I transferred to Troy (State) University. I tried out a couple churches there, but my home church was really awesome, and I couldn't find one that compared to it... So I just didn't go to church. I still tried to do the right things, and I still prayed and (sometimes) read my Bible, but my spiritual life was flat. I was still a Christian, but I wasn't actively growing my relationship with God.

That lasted for about 4 years, until Matt invited me to come to Mulder. I was instantly reminded of my home church and have been an active member ever since. I know looking back that I used the "no good churches around" thing as an excuse, and even without a church, I wish I had spent all those years at least reading my Bible more and spending more time in serious prayer. But when I started getting active at Mulder, it felt like I was right back where I left off as a youth. I'm sure God would have liked it more if I had stayed in a church and all during that time, but He doesn't focus on the past... Isn't that wonderful news!? Even though I pretty much put God in a corner for so long, as soon as I took Him out, our relationship was going strong again. And I know that during that time, God was fighting for me to turn back to Him. Can you say that about all of your friends?

Just something to think about... Hope you all have a great week! :)