I have been given the greatest gift that I didn't know I needed. I get a front row seat to people returning to church for the first time in over a year. Seems like I have cried every week now since we went back in person seeing people return since receiving the vaccine.
And the people back are just as touched. So many come up to me after service with tears in their eyes. The text messages I have been receiving are my weekly encouragement to get back up and do it again. There is so much life!
CHURCH COMMUNITY IS SUCH A BIG DEAL.
I recently had a discussion with some fellow moms about activities that we plan on enrolling our children in and why - everything is getting back to it and we are all trying to not end up over scheduled as we were before the pandemic hit - the sports, musical instruments, playdates, summer activities, small groups, etc. But one of the no brainers was swim lessons because learning how to swim is a safety issue.
Being engaged in church community falls in the same "no brainer" category because the Bible says so. It's not about the worship. Or even the message. But it's the in-between that matters. It's the conversation before service starts, who you get to sit near, or who you end up walking next to as you head to your cars. For our church this past Sunday, we had a very powerful moment with a man who recently lost his wife. Sure, you could have watched it on the livestream but anyone not there missed the whole picture. They didn't get to extend their hands with their neighbors, they didn't see the people kneeling around Karl as they petitioned to God on his behalf, they didn't have the chance to greet him afterwards. And that is just one person.
The body of Christ is such a integral part of our faith.
"And let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as in the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25
"If anyone among you is suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. " James 5:13-16
I recently encouraged the praise team members to not be lazy in their pursuit of Christ. I am praying that the church as a whole, across the whole world, does the same - gets up on Sunday morning, gets dressed, and resumes the act of obedience by engaging in God's community.
Life and life in abundance waits.
