Spiritually Readiness / Heart state...

[Achronos]

As I have posted about a few weeks ago, I had an awkward experience attending not only my first Orthodox church, but an Antiochian one.

But I have a dilmena, I am planning on going to a Greek Orthodox church tomorrow, however I don't know in my heart if I am ready yet. How do I know? I just don't feel worthy in front of the Church and have comitted alot of sins.

Also I'm having an issue spiritually feeling Christ in my heart, I don't know how to get that 'feeling' of God there, any suggestions? i just don't feel his presence in me. I know in my head this is the right thing to do, but my heart isn't feeling the presence of the Lord, is this normal?

[biro]

St. Thomas experienced the same thing, and the Lord was pleased to walk into the midst of the Apostles, and to show His Wounds to Thomas. Be of good courage, the church has been called a 'hospital for sinners'; the simple fact of going to the liturgy and sitting and listening can help you.  The first few times you go to the service may seem quite different from what you've been used to, but relax and give it a chance, and don't be afraid to ask questions of people in the parish; I am shy by nature, but I found out the people there were nice and helped me a lot. I hope you enjoy your visits. 

[Achronos]

I worry about being 'accepted' in the church, how will others see a newcomer such as myself?

[quietmorning]

Just like they see any other new comer.  We are all sinners and have fallen very short of the glory of God.  We're all capable of the most hideous of crimes.  Every single one of us.  It's HIS grace that keeps us from doing the most horrific things.  It's nothing that we in ourselves have done if we've done anything good.

It takes a while to build relationships.  If you are worried about being accepted into the church body AS an Orthodox Christian Communicant, your Priest will know better than you when you are ready.  If you are talking about being ready to go to an Orthodox Church consistently to begin to work on BECOMING READY - then it's just having the understanding that you wish to inquire about something you have not experienced before.  At any time during the inquiry process, you can say, "this isn't for me" and stop walking toward the church. 

[biro]

I think every parish may be different, as every person is, but in my church, because I didn't know better, on my first couple of visits I arrived a little late to the service- so people weren't really talking. After that, I made a point of getting there before the start, so I had time to look around a little, and say hello to people. Surprise- they said hello, and some of them asked what church I used to go to, and so on. Things got better, and I think if you give it time, that will happen for you as well. Try going to the coffee hour, if there's one after the services at your local church. If it's a large parish, you may meet other converts. Even if not, don't give up. My experience has overall been very positive.

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Convert Issues (Moderator: Thomas) > Topic: Spiritually Readiness / Heart state...