Returning to Church

 

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.