In chemistry there is a concept called "activation energy". When chemicals are mixed together they may not start reacting on their own. They need a little push. Their chemical bonds are stable and without some energy to break the bonds initially, nothing is going to happen. So a candle won't light itself; it takes the heat from a match. And the match won't light itself, it takes friction against the striker. A little energy is needed to get the whole thing started.
This makes me think of going to social events. It seems like whenever any event comes up, I really need to talk myself into going. I'm not sure why it is. It may be a consequence of being too busy that makes me want to avoid anything that comes up. Or maybe I'm a hermit at heart and I really want to be alone in a shack on a mountain. What ever the underlying cause, I often find myself wishing that I didn't have to go to some event that is going on. The odd thing is that once there, I am usually happy to be there and afterwards I'm glad that I went. Maybe I'm just a bit too comfortable at home and getting out the door takes a little push. I need a little activation energy.
We all need a little activation energy in our lives. We need a little emphasis to do the things that are good for us. We need that extra umff to keep us on the straight and narrow. And that kick start can come from our relationship with God. Now going to church and a relationship with God are by no means one and the same. It is possible to go to church and never actually develop a relationship with God. It is also possible to develop a deep, thoughtful relationship without.
But it usually doesn't work that way.
Teddy Roosevelt wrote this,
Yes, I know all the excuses. I know that one can worship the Creator and dedicate oneself to good living in a grove of trees, or by a running brook, or in one's own house, just as well as in church. But I also know as a matter of cold fact the average man does not thus worship or thus dedicate himself. If he strays away from church, he does not spend his time in good works or lofty meditation. He looks over the colored supplement of the newspaper.
If we want the kick start. If we want the activation energy. We need to seek out God and be in His presence,
If we seek God's presence, we will find it. And throughout the week, His presence can give us the activation energy that we need to get going on the right path.
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