The dilemma of organized religion

So the next step in my journey was to approach my husband about going to church. He wasn't crazy about the idea. And to be honest neither was I. But, I wanted to have an appointment with God. One that was set each week for me...because the road to Hell is paved with good intentions and I "intended" on reading the bible and seeking my own personal relationship with God. But I know me. I procrastinate. I don't always follow through with my self-imposed deadlines, rarely in fact. But a deadline or appointment set by someone else, I am on it! Anyway, I wanted to get to know God, wanted to be able to teach Maddie about Him, but I didn't want all of the "religion" that was undoubtedly going to come along with going to church. I wanted faith, wanted to feel good, be uplifted, but I didn't want to be a "sheep".
There's the dilemma people...we ARE sheep when it comes to our relationship with God and our shepherd, Jesus Christ. One of the most meaningful sermons I heard at our church finally got me to lay this inner quarrel down. I still don't want to be a sheep in the sense that I blindly follow whatever interpretation of scripture that is handed to me, but I do sucumb to being one of Jesus' sheep. Sheep need a shepherd because they will continue to do the same thing over and over again, go to the east looking for water when they have been to the river day in and day out and it's always been to the west. They will starve, and become dehydrated and die without a shepherd to lead them to their most basic needs. And I was starving! Starving for understanding, security, something to help me raise my child in the turmoil of this world.
I have taken many mindless detours off this journey to Christ...going back to some of my old mindsets, behaviors and obsessions. And I always will. But each time I attend that Sunday service, each time I hear the prayers of the women in my small group, each time I volunteer in the nursery with my husband, I am proud to be one of His sheep. Because I have learned that even though I need this herd, and more importantly this Shepherd, to keep me from blindly walking over the edge of the cliff, I am not just anyone. He knows me by name. He works miracles in my life. He listens to me and teaches me, even when I am too stubborn to listen. He follows me, even as I follow Him.
So many people say that they believe in God but do not join a church because they don't like organized religion and they don't like hypocrites. I was one of them. But the truth is that we need that structure to grow as Christians. It's so hard to hear God on our own, whether the problem is our ears or what's between them! We need to be surrounded by His people so that we can truly get His message. You may hear it from someone that is truly righteous, or you may see it in someone that is not...sometimes that is just as motivating. But being there, surrounded by His people, encouraged by those that are further in their faith journey, and excited for those that aren't is what grows you enough to want to share it.
I vowed that I would not be one of those hypocrites. But in order to do that, I need to be willing to share the love that I have found (and am still learning about) with others. Since I haven't reached the point where I feel comfortable "witnessing" to others face to face, this is where I will start. This is my baby step. I urge you to join me. We are all Christ's children, and as you will hear in this song, "Jesus paid too high a price to pick and choose who get's to come."
Who's coming with me?