Have you ever considered what it would be like if church were a little more like Walmart? I’m serious.  While I realize it has its major faults (i.e. twenty registers and 1 cashier) you have to admit the store does have its positives.  I’m not a huge shopper.  I can go quite some time without purchasing anything for myself.  I can be sitting at home and see a Walmart commercial for some random item at a lowered price and think, “I need to go check that out!”  I’m instantly drawn to the store like a moth to a flame.  When I darken the doorway of our local Walmart (I’m ashamed to admit) I have a hard time fighting the urge to simply get what I need and leave.  I always go in with good intentions and a short shopping list.  I emerge from the store excitedly with numerous plastic gray bags filled with loot.  Walmart is the only store I leave with multiple purchases of the same item.  While in the store the purchase makes sense.  Who could pass up six bottle of ketchup for such a low price?  The “low price leader” strikes again!!!  It’s like the air in the store is laced with some hallucinogenic.  It happens every-single-time!!!  Then I get home and think, “What just happened?”  I need to return some of this………but I can’t be trusted……must…..buy…..more……ketchup!!  Before you think I’ve gone totally bonkers let me get to the point.

What if church were like that? Yes, I realize most churches don’t sell ketchup.  I’m referring to walking in the doors of the church and emerging with something you hadn’t planned to get.  There are many who have chosen not to follow Christ.  No doubt, they will one day regret this choice.  But there are others waiting for an invitation.  It’s highly probable God has already planted seeds in their hearts and minds.  The seed only needs a little and a bit of water and time in the ‘Son.’  We must daily remind ourselves to, “…go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” [Luke 14:23]  My wife was teaching a Sunday School lesson a few weeks ago and said the following, “It’s time to stop playing church and start being the church!”  I can’t shake that statement.  The walls of the church were never created to keep Christians confined.  Christianity is about taking action.  I dare say if we would do a little more “compelling” we would see a mighty harvest of souls.  [Side note: If our words and actions aren’t compelling enough we may need to inspect our own relationship with Christ (or lack thereof)].  Someone could choose to attend because of an invitation to a special activity–but leave having made the decision to become a part of the family of God.  Romans 10:13 reminds us, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Also, God is “…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:9]  What if church were a little more like Walmart?

Final thoughts and encouragement: I encourage you take the time to figure out what “compelling” (the above scripture reference) means to you.  We all have a work to do for the kingdom.  Are we doing it?  Are we being the church?  Have a blessed day, my friends!!!