As I arrived at the row I’d be sitting in Sunday morning, I saw people behind us I did not recognize. We shook hands over the chairs, making our introductions. I moved along toward my husband since church was about to start. I first met Michael, then Nikki, and next…!
“Well, hello…..!” I exclaimed with surprise. She stood up, and we hugged over chairs, as instruments doused our conversation. I took my seat and joined in the singing.
I’m so grateful for spiritual and relational family in the house of God. In Hebrews 10:23-25 the Bible says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” (NASB)
The Body of Christ is full of all varieties of Jesus-following people, including YOU and ME. This is a blessing clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 12. Along with our myriad of synergistic distinctions, there is the joy of celebrating Jesus shoulder to shoulder, face to face, heads bent in prayer, hearts raised in worship, ears open to the Word of God TOGETHER, even if we’ve never met!
Ephesians 4:1-6 is a powerful proclamation which binds us with cords that cannot be broken. The Apostle Paul states, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
I’m so glad I was in church that Sunday morning, able to encounter my cousin Joanne and her family! We chatted happily after service. It’d been years since I’d seen her, and I’d not met my other relatives. Before bidding farewell, I invited them to have dinner with us on Thursday so we could catch up and become more acquainted. They eagerly accepted.
One thing led to another, as God was weaving more joy into the occasion. They brought delightful flowers. We gabbed about our gardens. They inspired us with stories of 100 mile bike rides! And then they mentioned a movie that teaches the difference in physiological responses to various foods we chew, swallow, digest, and utilize. After a family photo and waving good-bye, we pulled it up on our streaming service and watched. Hmmm. So true. We’ve known this – let’s choose this! We started today to eat a new way, which made me call Mom, after much too long. She loves healthy eating to keep our hearts beating. Our warm happy greeting, the conversation so pleasing – was born of a meeting of believers on Sunday – stirring one another up to love and good deeds. Connection – affirmation – exhortation – instruction – obedience – outreach.
God has good reasons for asking us to gather. Wouldn’t you rather?