Why is it so hard to take a step out? Sometimes, it is SO easy to just stay right where we are!

During our worship service in youth, we all go up front. We worship in the altar. It is not forced. It’s just what we do. We step out and come before God to spend a few minutes in worship to Him.

During service in the main sanctuary on Sunday mornings, we do not go up front. Well, we do not ALL go up front. The invitation is there. Usually, a handful of people come forward. I don’t move. Sometimes I think about it. I wonder if it will make a difference to the youth- if it will encourage them to step out. I stand comfortably in my usual place- the second spot on the second pew in the section all the way to the right. I worship God.I am seeking and going after Him. I am simply doing it without taking that step out.

Psalms 27:8 ~ When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.”

Jeremiah 29:13 ~ You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

I know these verses. I’ve heard them and many others like it my entire life. I know the concept. Be bold. Step out in faith. Step out of your comfort zone.

It’s not like I’m new here. I have gone to this church for some crazy amount of time like 27 years! This is where I got married. Some of these people have known me since I was my son’s age- 5 years old! They saw me grow up, they saw Otis and I date, they have been there for the births of our children. These people are family. And on top of all that, we now have the amazing privilege of serving as youth pastors. This house is my safe place. This is where I sought refuge while my parents divorced. On the very same stage that my husband now preaches from time to time, is where I recieved my kindergarten diploma, where I participated in school plays and sang specials, had missionette award ceremonies, where I was baptized, where I stood taking my purity vow in youth….I have slept on the same pews during youth lock ins when I was a teenager. Our kids were both dedicated here and our daughter has been baptized here. Some people call being in the same church my whole life boring. I call it a HUGE BLESSING AND HONOR. So, my reasoning cannot be that I feel out of place or anything like that.

I always picture it…me stepping out and once i’m committed and obviously stepping out…the song ends. Then there I am doing this weird little shuffle to scoot back to my seat. Or maybe it’s the very last song before annoucements..how awkward would that be! I mean, come on, I am already on the second pew. During those altar services when Pastor calls the entire church up front, there are people standing right next to where I am, because everyone can’t fit in the very front. My spot is ‘coming up front’ for some people.

I know that it is not about where I stand. God doesn’t need a better view of me or need me to be within hearing distance.

2 Samuel 24:24 ~ But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.

It’s about taking that step.

Standing in the second spot on the second pew in the section all the way to the right doesn’t really cost me anything.

During our last youth service, Otis was talking about seeing the youth worship. He compared the way they worship at camp or convention to the way they worship in a youth service to they way they worship in the main sanctuary. He talked about how there should not be any difference…no matter the crowd size or atmosphere or music style. He talked about God being worthy no matter what.

God is worthy of that step out. You never know what one person taking one step could spark.

So the next time I feel prompted to step out…..I am…..and I hope you do too.