Backbone.

When you're in a situation that makes you uncomfortable, or just any crappy situation in general, isn't it natural to avoid that situation entirely? I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and say it is. And isn't it, then, natural to refrain from revisiting said situation over and over again?

The answer is also yes, in case there was any doubt. We're two for two.

So, please explain to me why putting yourself into that situation over and over again isn't utterly stupid? Generally, getting burned once is enough to stop an intelligent person from sticking their hand in a fire. But if there's a legitimate reason for this, I would be glad to hear you out.

I'm just as guilty of it as the next guy or gal, but eventually, someone needed to say it. Crap doesn't happen spontaneously. Well, it does sometimes, but it happens a heck of a lot less when you're not throwing the door open and inviting it in.

Basically, crap is an opportunist.

It's a bit ranty, but it's the truth. Don't whine about how you're so sick of people letting you down when you're the one letting those same people back into your life every week. Stop repeatedly friending and unfriending your frienemies on Facebook, or even worse, changing your relationship status multiple times a day depending on your current mood with your boo. Eventually, people are going to stop sympathizing with you and start criticizing you, especially people like me who don't score high in the patience area.

Make your choice, use that backbone God gave you, and stand your ground.

Torn.

Lately, I've noticed it's really, REALLY difficult to let go of things. It's much easier to find justification for keeping them, or in some cases, it's easier to repress the thought from your mind entirely.

Unfortunately, I'm referring to my church. I know normally saying I'm too attached to my church to leave it yields an "Awwh!" reaction, but it's really not the case for me. It's far from it.

I've grown up a lot these past few years, and I am very capable of forming my own opinions and making my own decisions. Especially when it comes to matters involving God. All throughout this process, I've been in church, the same church I've attended most of my life. When I was younger, I saw it as this flawless gathering of worship and praise, but the naivety of childhood has dissipated along with that golden image in my head.

The church, I understand, runs in a similar manner to a business in that there are several jobs distributed among a hired staff, and as in every body of people, there is a chain of command. However, what's supposed to set the church apart from a business, among other things, is a strong sense of morality, something that the corporate world knows nothing of, and churches, for the most part, should move in the direction that the majority of the people want to move. Basically, they should share similar principles to that of a democracy.

My church used to be like that, or at least, I think it used to be, but times have changed. People have changed. Using the word corruption when describing an aspect of my own church leaves a thick, bitter taste in my mouth. I don't know how else to explain it though. Gradually, the chain of command in my church has been infiltrated by select members, some long-time members who are set in their ways. They've managed to acquire a staggering amount of influence over our pastor and our congregation as a whole.

I don't understand why or how this is allowed to continue, but it just doesn't feel right. Is it the fear of losing our history? Is it money? Is it all just a big numbers game?

Our youth group has little to no say in the affairs of our church, while these heavyweights make the decisions. Members are members. I don't recall reading in the Bible about how to separate the church into classes. We aren't a government, so why is there a power struggle among our people? Why is God's house becoming no more than a social club for maintaining yet another status quo?

And that's why I'm torn. The very place I go to learn what it is to be a Christian, is being run in a manner that I don't feel is very Christ-like. My WWJD bracelet is always there, glaring at me, and echoing it's age-old message in my head.  I pray, but there is no clear answer. Just silence.

I would appreciate prayers on this matter, but I know that I have to ultimately make the final decision to stay or go. Abandoning the people I've grown up with and the place that has been my home for so long is a terrifying thought, but reaching a point of spiritual stagnation because of prideful, unchanging people is just as scary.