Greetings Everyone,
One of the questions we hear and may wonder about ourselves is “does God care if I am in church on Sundays?” Or whenever our worship services and other activities are held. Since Covid has been around, this question is even more obvious as we have discoveredwe can watch our services on Facebook as we are relaxing in our living rooms. Some may even ponder the thought of why it is important at all.
First, it’s important to make all of you aware that God is NOT going to love you any less or send you to hell if you don’t come to worship. However, for your information, it’s not what God wants for you, and it very easily could hurt your spiritual growth. As we are taught, church is not the building. Church is the people who gather within the building. Those who gather are the Body of Christ as defined in our Bible. You will often read the Apostle Paul speaking to the Church, the body of believers who gather in the name of Christ.
We often refer to our Body of Christ as our Faith Family. If you are part of a Faith Family, it embraces many aspects that are beneficial. These aspects include being there for each other in whatever way necessary; to support each other, to encourage each other, to pray for each other, to guide each other, and to provide direction and learning opportunities. Being a part of a faith family is where we grow, where we love, where we laugh, where we serve and spread the good news of Jesus.
A Faith Family is not perfect, but it is a place where we can belong and find community! We are building bonds and it becomes a place where we can share the love of Christ with each other and those who join us. It’s not meant to be a perfect place, but one of warmth and acceptance. A place where we agree in our love of Christ and look forward to growing in His love. As we do, we become a shining light out in the world. Right now, we need that more than anything else.
Remember the song,
“We are the Church, we are the church together!”
God did not intend for us to be separate in our faith and worship, but to be together.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says,
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
As we find ourselves coming back together safely in worship, let us remember the importance of being here for each other as well as for our own growth and love. Let us stir each other up! Let us embrace each other in Christian love, refuel our tanks so we can go out into the world and share this special love. Let us realize that there is a place and time where worship is private but coming together is God’s mandate!
Happy November in the name of Christ…
