Pews Or The Purpose? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Pews Or The Purpose?

Don't stay seated. He calls us to get up and move

26
Pews Or The Purpose?
Pexels

Pews

Squished seating, elbow to elbow, and hearing the crying of children down the row from you are all effects of the pews. Pews help people engage in interaction even if you feel like being isolated. They force unity, without spaces or cracks next to each other it’s a meshed atmosphere. Every Sunday morning I find myself sitting here. Next to my mom and the little girl from my Sunday School class who loves to play tic-tac-toe during the service, but not distractedly, and together we listen to my dad give the message. Pews, the same place where I’ve sung my soul out, sat in pain, but regardless, they have remained. They stay nailed to the floor without movement or capability to leave. Sometimes the pews feel like the only substance that is secure in my church.

Purpose

Are we supposed to be able to attend Sunday morning all put together? I mean sure, it's my favorite time of the week to match my boots with the perfect cardigan and scarf but that doesn't mean I'm guaranteed a struggle free lifestyle, just because I can dress fashionably. We get hung up on the placements of our own agendas that we forget to serve, and we supplement it with the best version we can think of, pretending. We get comfy in those pews because they won't leave us. We, as the church, forget the power of leaning on people. Instead, we struggle to smile, because we are shattered, but we shut up and sewed our spirits together for the sake of other people. We internalize the thought of "I had to please them," and justify the reason for our suffering. Somewhere in the processing of hearing God's word you didn’t have time to ask questions, and felt it your duty to just deliver the answers expected of you. But, you see, these things are not worth cutting the ties between people, He has called the church to build communities and build them within nations. It's easy to label our lives as serving a purpose, whenever in actuality we have just become witty at pretending.

Personal

To become exactly who God wants us to be takes courage, can be confusing, but is rewarding because you have new freedom within His arms. We have to come to the point that we have to live to serve Him, and accomplish whatever He deems as necessary. So, let's be honest with ourselves: what is God calling you to, and what are you holding on to? To know oneself means to lay out the premise of the underlying meaning of their life regardless of what’s physically there. I’ve discovered the beauty, in belittling the cruel lies I’ve fed myself over the years. I mustn’t continue to role play for anyone anymore, because my composer is not people but my personal relationship with God. To write my own story is to let the soul speak when the pencil is fearful to produce, even if it’s not pleasing to what people want to perceive. I can't hide behind the shadow of the Preacher's Daughter, I have to continually branch out because although the branches mean dangling off to something else, I have to build my own connecting roots with other people.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

18057
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

7705
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

5636
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

4894
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments