Tyler and Emily in PNG

Some things never change…the back of the church is always full. You know, the last five pews in the sanctuary are always filled thus allowing no space for late comers. Those coming late awkwardly look at those you came early to grab a back row seat as they gently and quietly move closer to the front to find empty space. This behavior or Christian habit is the same cross cultures, even in PNG.

The song leader opens the service with an invitation…there are lots of empty gaps so please move forward and fill the space. Don’t be afraid or fearful, don’t be embarrassed please move forward. The song leader goes on to say if we leave space satan, he might be tempted to come and sit amongst us. If satan is to come, then why not give him the back row and not the space in the middle or front? Please move forward as we begin worship.

As the service progressed I pondered on the song leaders illustration and thought about our spiritual lives. We yearn to be close to God, we want to dine with him, we want to walk with him, etc. In reality, we have barely entered the sanctuary only to find a back row seat. We have this void between us and God. The void is often filled with sin and pleasures of this ground. This is where satan enters and fills the void. With our spiritual lives why don’t we ‘move forward’ and come closer to the front? Have we left space for satan to come and dwell amongst us or are we going to leave the back pew for him?