Psalm 122:1 says “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us
go to the house of the Lord.’”
I went back to church last Sunday for the first time in a
year. I was able to take communion and worship with my church family. I got to
worship along side of my newly married (6 months) daughter and her husband for
the first time. My granddaughter sat in our pew.
I cried through the first songs as I was overcome with emotion.
I had missed this. I had missed it so much.
Sunday is the first day of the week. Going to church was how
I ordered my week. I went to church and filled my heart, mind, and soul with
worship, fellowship, seeing needs, praying, reaching out to others. A whole
year without that emptied me. I still read my Bible. I watched church virtually.
I prayed. I had people in my home. I wasn’t totally alone, but something was
missing.
Hebrews 10: 24- 25 says “And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as
you see the Day approaching.”
Scripture encourages us to meet together. It is the time we
can spur one another on towards love and good deeds. It is where we encourage
one another. When I went into church, someone said my name. Another person
asked if they could give me a hug. Someone welcomed me and was glad to see me. A
small child smiled and wiggled her fingers in a hello. My pew was full even
though my husband and I came alone. It was full of young people I love. My pew
was full, but my heart overflowed. It was like coming home after a long time
away. I felt a part of something bigger than what I had at home. I belonged
somewhere.
We need each other. We need each other especially when we
are going through uncertain times. The body of Christ is called to reach out to
others, to be there for each other. Sometimes we need to take risks. Often we
need to go against the culture. We need to be steadfast and stand firm. We need
to know who we are and whose we are. We do not need to live in fear. We need to
be welcoming to all. We need to let people come as they are. We need to love
those who don’t follow all the rules. Jesus did.
