Inertia (in-ur-shuh) - the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force. (www.dictionary.reference.com)
I was watching a show on National Geographic the other night (yes, I love earth science!!!) and the topic was the geographic formation of Manhattan Island, the foundation of New York City. I'm sad to report that I have never actually been to NYC, but am holding out for a trip there one day around Christmas.
One interesting geographic feature of the island is found in Central Park. All over the park there are random boulders scattered about. These bounders were not brought in for park decor. They were there long before a city was built in this location. As I watched I wondered what these rocks have witnessed over the past few thousand years. As the city that never sleeps was built around them, they have not moved - not one single inch. They are sitting exactly as they were upon being deposited by a glacier during the last ice age.
In physics, a law exists called inertia (defined above). This law says that those rocks in Central Park will be there indefinitely if they are left alone by man. They will not move on their own. They will not decide to sit in a different position. They are content to stay exactly in the same position forever unless another force that is more powerful than them decides differently.
Inertia applies to people too! People get used to doing things a certain way. They get used to viewing the world in a certain way. They develop opinions and ideas about life and settle down right in that spot. They get comfortable there and have no desire to move from that spot. Movement for people requires a force that is bigger and more powerful than them. Movement will also require time and patience.
Because inertia is not just a law of physics, it is a law of human nature as well; as a leader in a church it is important that I take this into consideration as I try to move people from where they are comfortably sitting to a deeper and more ministry/service focused relationship with God. Even though people like to get comfortable in their churches and routines, as LEADERS we must help people realize that movement towards God is essential whether you are a new Christian or have been one for 75 years.
This concept is scriptural. Paul addresses it in Philippians 2:12 when he says, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." In other words, salvation is something we are striving for every day. One cannot just say a little prayer or get dunked in water and assume that is the END of the journey. Becoming a believer, repenting, and being baptized are the BEGINNING of the journey! From there we are called to pursue God, pursue holiness, and be disciples every day we are given.
This all is easy to write, but actually moving people is VERY difficult. Inertia! As leaders we must realize that we must teach AND teach with a purpose. If we hope to create disciples who are focused on making new disciples and pursuing God in their daily lives, we must make sure we are mentoring and teaching to that end. Even more importantly, we must realize that we are simply not a big enough force to move people on our own. God's Holy Spirit is the bigger force that is going to move people into this deeper relationship focused on service and ministry. However, as leaders we must be ready to challenge people to really be soaking in God's Word so they can receive their own convictions about service and ministry.
It just isn't good enough to fill up a church with comfortable and happy people. I don't want my church to look like Central Park with a bunch of unmovable rocks sitting around. To move them I MUST make sure I am guiding them into God's Word and helping them recognize the force of the Holy Spirit that is trying to move them. Once people get moving, look out! Inertia quickly becomes another physics law called MOMENTUM, and that can be very difficult for Satan to stop!!!
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