Take Me Back

 A song by Cochren & Co., Take Me Back, has stirred the thoughts.  I had the blessing of hearing this performed live at Kingdom Bound this season!

I love the sentiment " I want to go to church!!! And what going to church means..or can mean... But I couldn't atop thinking.....

I used it in our worship service this past Sunday and the words just struck me and the more I listened and mused more thoughts and ideas poured in. 

So, there are two sides/perspectives we can look at with this song....side A💿 and side B📀 so to speak!

The chorus is what stood out the most.

And I truly don't know which side to start with.

💿Individually....or 📀corporately 

Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church

💿As an individual believer we represent the church of Christ.  Are we someone that others can depend on? Are we Christ - like enough to not be judgmental? Are we a soothing balm to a hurting soul?

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost
Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross
It's not a trophy for the winners
It's a shelter for the sinners
And it's right where I belong

Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
I want to go to church

📀Now, as a church body; are we a family that people can depend on? Are we loving and accepting no matter what sin we may have seen or see? When people walk in the doors do they feel the love of Christ and hear the word of God? Are we there to show and share and BE Christ or are we there for our own programs and agendas?  We can say "God loves everyone and so do we", BUT is it felt? What do our actions, our eyes speak? Christ loved ALL, He came for the sinners and the condemned "of which I am the worst". We love the people and let God take care of the sin!

 📖 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Oh, more than an obligation
It's our foundation
The family of God
I know it's hard
But we need each other
We're sisters and brothers

I love this section; going to church HAS to be more than an obligation.  Loving individuals in the name of Christ HAS to be more than an obligation.  It needs to come from the Foundation built on a personal relationship with Jesus.   

📖 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,  out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  Psalm 40:2

📖 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:34

This line especially; "the family of God, I know it is hard"!!!  Amen to that!  "But we need each other" and should love one another. It is alright to disagree and to have different opinions,  but love should rule over all. 

📖  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9

Oh, take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church

For people to WANT to seek you out because they see and feel Jesus when they are in your presence.  They feel love and peace.

For people to WANT, for ME .. YOU to WANT to be at church..to listen, sing, love, pray.

Sunday morning (or whenever your church service is) should see us saying; "It's Church today!!!😃😍😊"

Not "Ugh, It's church today 😒🥱🫤"

Yeah, I want to go to church (take me back)
Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go
Oh, I want to go to church (take me back)
Oh, I want to go to church

📖 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

We shouldn't be too discouraged if we aren't what God has in mind for us as His church; individually or corporately... "Take Me Back" because we ALL fall short, drift away, from that God centered place at times. But we should want to go back, get ourselves and our church family back to that Christ centered passion, to that first love.

📖 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5a

🙏🏼 Lord, I pray that we want to be the people and church that others can depend on, that are loving and forgiving, and encouraging.  That individually we love others in your name and corporately we are a family that is a safe, soothing place. And if we are not, that you convict our hearts and guide us to change. I want to be that place that people want to go back to. I I want my church to be that place. Amen♥️

🎵 Take Me Back. Cochren & Co.