why are you here?

For a few weeks now, some of us have been focused on that question. Why do we do the things we do? Why do we go to church? Is it for family expectations, to see friends, because its expected? Or because we really just want to worship? In 1 Kings 19, Elijah had a meeting with God in a cave. God asked him one question two times. Seemed pretty important, I'd guess. "Why are you here?"

I've been thinking about the connection between that question, and our expectations. We expect things from the people we have solid relationships with. They will show up when they say they will. They will treat me with respect, and in love. They will speak to me honestly. Jesus talks a little bit about this in Matthew 7:9-11. If you ask your dad for some bread, is he going to give you a stone? Would he give you a snake instead of the fish you asked for? (paraphrased terribly by me.) I think sometimes we get distracted by those other reasons to go to church... the friends and family, or just out of a sense of duty, because we don't really expect God to be there. Maybe we've felt disappointed by people in the church, and so we've lowered our expectations. But God doesn't disappoint! He does meet with us when we seek Him. He does answer our prayers when we pray (you can check out Jeremiah 29:12 about that one. And a bunch of other places as well). And He has things to say to you. New, fresh things. So why are you here?