The spiritual environment in which we meet the Lord has lasting effects on how we see God. I don't think God randomly selects the spiritual house we are birthed in. For me, the Lord grabbed a hold of me in the midst of the modern day prayer movement at a conference called the Onething Conference, and extension of the International House of Prayer. I don't think it's mere coincodence either that the Lord has called me to prayer ministry the rest of my life.

I have heard enough accusation in my life about different ministries. Some churches are "too emotionally based;" some are, "too dry, passionless." I have heard plenty of other descriptions of things that people see wrong with specific ministries. Those guys over there are too Charismatic, they like dance and stuff. Or that church is all about the rules, they are too proper. I don't doubt that numerous times I have joined in on those conversations, and I pray the Lord helps me with that.

But about this whole thing, God has showed me that His movement is not confined to a specific look or method.

Every one comes to know Jesus in a unique environment. That environment could be in a bedroom all alone where God just hits you with His love or His holiness. It could be in the middle of reciting prayers at the local mass service. Or like for me it could be in the middle of 15,000 other young adults worshiping Jesus. Jesus is not confined to any specific environment or church model.

It seems natural to be enthusiastic about the environment in which you first met Jesus. Then years down the road, and for some their whole life, we find ourselves defending that environment instead the movement of God. I have observed over and over people reject the idea that God cannot move unless A, B and C are included in the spiritual environment. That is just ridiculous!

I have heard Charismatics get upset because this church over there does not have alter calls and they don't pray for healing. I have also heard Fundementalists be convinced God is not moving in a ministry that does not preach exegetically or expository (similarly styled to a Bible commentary). Many churches follow the newest model (or the oldest) because they saw it work somewhere else, then they find themselves confused as to how it didn't work out how they thought it would. God didn't move like He did down the street! The list goes on...

The truth of the matter is that God is not stuck to one model or spiritual environment. We don't have to have a healing service for God to heal or bring revival. Our preacher doesn't have to be an expository preacher for God's truth to move the people. And we don't have to have contemporary worship music or even hymns to worship God.

God does what He wants. It's as simple as that.

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. - Psalm 115:3

Here's some advice, don't look at the environment, look for God's movement. I am not talking about forcing ignorance on yourself. What I am suggesting is to look for ways God is already at work. Even if you think the preaching is so un-Biblical, the worship music is lousy, or whatever, train yourself to see where God is moving. Ask Him to reveal His work to you. Then begin to celebrate the little things you do see.

When we rejoice in the little that we have God gives us more. It's the principle of stewardship. Therefore, we affirm the movement of God that we do see so it can flourish. If we do not celebrate what God is doing in the first place, even if it seems small, how are we going to expect God to increase His movement?

God is the ultimate example. In us He, "calls things that are not as though they were." (Rom. 4:17) In creation He called us into life, and in our new birth He called our righteousness in us when there was none.

God is moving; lets see it, and celebrate it.