Stop!

Warning Ahead!

Do not come to Calvary Baptist Church!…

…Unless you want to become a hearer, a doer, a be-err, and a be-longer - run away, get, skedaddle!

When I joined Calvary Baptist I really wanted to know and grow in my faith. Careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Now here I am splayed upon “the word of God (which) is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12)

At Calvary first you’re taught to actually hear God’s word - hearing. Then you’re taught to actually do God’s word - doing. And along with those you’re actually taught to be as God’s word instructs - being. Hearing, doing and being sure bring great challenges but also a knowing and growing that is living and powerful.

But our church doesn’t stop even there. You’re taken farther and taught the need to belong. You’re brought right up to the precipice and the question - who do I belong to? Myself or God? If we choose our self we will never take hold of who God created us to be. But if we choose Him we will become all that He created us to be. Simple, right? We just choose Him, right? Ohh, that it be so! Choosing to belong to God means living for Him and DYING for me and you.

Now, I don’t know about you, but little old me says, “I don’t wanna die.” My flesh balks and bargains and bemoans belonging to Him while my spirit desires and dreams of belonging only to Him. Can you relate? I found this prayer written centuries ago and it still speaks so well today on this very thing:

"My God, I want to give myself to You. Give me the courage to do this. My spirit within me sighs after You. Strengthen my will. Take me. If I don't have the strength to give You everything, then draw me by the sweetness of Your love. Lord, who do I belong to, if not You? What a horror to belong to myself and to my passions! Help me to find all my happiness in You, for there is no happiness outside of You.

Why am I afraid to break out of my chains? Do the things of this world mean more to me than You? Am I afraid to give myself to You? What a mistake! It is not even I who would give myself to You, but You who would give Yourself to me. Take my heart.

 What joy it is to be with You, to be quiet so that I might hear Your voice! Feed me and teach me out of Your depths. Oh God, You only make me love You. Why should I fear to give You everything and draw close to You? To be left to the world is more frightening than this! Your mercy can overcome any obstacle. I am unworthy of You, but I can become a miracle of Your grace.” (From “The Seeking Heart” by Francois de Fenelon)

You know, maybe you  should come to Calvary Baptist Church and learn to hear, do and be. And discover your answer to the question - who do I belong to?