Church
I can remember a time when I was much younger that I felt I could
worship God on my own. Church wasn’t a necessity. It was just as worshipful to
go out into nature or spend time alone talking to God and adoring Him all by
myself, as it was to go into a “church” building with a lot of other folks and
sing songs and listen to a sermon. Why, even I could read the Bible and get my
own sermon out of it.I didn’t “need” church.
It’s hard for me to look back on those times and take myself very
seriously. All I need to do is to read Romans chapter 12 to see that God didn’t
mean for me to be a church of one, and island to myself. yes, I can be a sacrificial worshipper
as one person, but, how can I be a vital part of the body without the rest of
the body? If I am the feet,
wouldn’t I walk aimlessly without the head to direct me? If I am the head
alone, How can I go to others to tell of the Gospel without the feet to take
me? If I am the ears and hear the word, don’t I need the rest of the body to
help me do something with the word that I’ve heard?
Maybe we all go through times in our lives when we think that we
don’t need the church, but that isn’t necessarily the only reason that we go to
worship services and spend time with other Christians. We all have a part to
play, and what if you are the feet that are needed or the hands that could be
used to lift. What if your words or your presence was what was needed by
someone that you weren’t even aware of?
God made us to need others from the very beginning. In Genesis
2:18 God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” He understood our need for
relationship, especially a relationship that reflects our relationship with
Him.
Romans 12 verse 10 tells us to be devoted to one another and to
honor one another above ourselves. This is what “Church” is. Let’s continue to
BE a church and to BE here for one another.
1 comments:
I felt the same way. Sometimes still do. Growing up I thought of church as a perfect place, a place of love, mercy, forgiveness, hope. I was taught to desire the positons of preacher, elder or deacon. So, I took them up on the offer. I went into the ministry. I was awoke to the reality of the imperfect church. Church became a place where Christians fought, divided, debated. Church politics governed decisions rather than the will of God. I thought I would be taken care of, looked after only to be taken advantage of. The members of the congregations and elders didn't care about me but what they could get. I burned out. I have known man men who have gone through the same Imperfect. Yes. Full of sinners yes. Still hopeful. Yes. We as Christians shoudl be authentic. Upfront. Honest. Church is more than just Sunday morning experiences. It's relational. Community. In its authentic form sacrificial. A hospital for those who need Jesus. There have been many times where I have wanted to walk away, still struggle but I go and when I do I am blessed. "Each part must do it's work to BUILD EACH OTHER UP so that each can do their part in the body of Christ."
I read your blog and it is a blessing. It has helped. I needed this tonite. Thanks. I felt the spirit at work while I read.
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