Why is there an empty seat in church today??

     As I look at my life, from my overly analytical perspective, I have discoverd that every character trait, every little quirk about a person is caused by a past situation, a series of events, or certain circumstances in the past. As i think about it more and more i realize that, this isn't something new.

    
     Ever since we were infants we understood this cause and effect relationship. I cry, mommy picks me up and tends to my needs, therefore, I will cry whenever i want something. Even animals have grasped ahold of this simple concept, if I poop in the house, everyone's reaction is against me. I will stop pooping in the house, because i don't like having my face "rubbed in it."
    
     So i can't help but wonder, why don't we apply that simple principle to every aspect of our lives? I always see people shuffle across an icy parking lot so that they don't fall down and hurt their bum. They understand that if they fall down, it will hurt. Then again, those same people refuse to listen to God or even their own conscience, or whatever other higher power they my subscribe to, and keep on going running across the ice the next day. I don't believe that people are always as ignorant as they act. Is it pure selfishness?

     Then we have the people who call themselves Christians(myself being included in this critique.) We got it together. We see the cause and effect and we always shuffle acoss the ice, never run. But i think another problem arises. Are we too busy looking at our own feet making sure we don't fall to tell the other people that running is a bad idea? Most of us aren't ignorant either, so i fall back to my previous question, is it pure selfishness? Whether they listen or not is not my problem, my problem is when i stand before God's big screen replay of my life am i going to have to say, "I didn't want them to laugh at me." Is someone laughing at you the reason that there are empty chairs in your church service on Sunday morning? Is it the reason there are empty chairs in mine?

     When I look at people's responses, from my overly analytical perspective, I have come to find that the vast majority of witnessing opportunities that are taken advantage of, seldom are responded to with laughter. There will be some, there may be many, but if ridicule changed Jesus' mind about going through all He did, where would you be right now? What chance would we stand?Do you remember all the times you did fall down on the ice when you were trying to run and He picked you back up and held your hand? The next person who you see running, why not let them know that Jesus has a firmer footing than they do and He wants to walk them across the ice.

     Friends I don't write this to convict you beause this is something that God is convicting me of not doing right. I write this because everyone keeps talking about a revival in Alaska and in America, but who is God going to use if no one is willing to step up to the plate and try starting. Be the Isaiah of you community as say,"...here i am Lord send me."

     Some Christian are doing an excellent job already and if you are reading this and trying, i thank you and ask that you would begin teaching the people around you who aren't.

     I believe that one of the key factors that drive evangelistic people is the understanding of the cause and effect relationship between our sin and the true consequences that God's Word tells us about,"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) If you can understand this and act with the love of Christ in your heart, then you can call yourself a Christian.