I do not do Church because of the scripture Hebrews 10:25 concerning not "forsaking the assembly." Growing up, I believed that was a threat, and if I failed to attend a service, there was a fiendishly delighted god just waiting to take his wide-tipped Magic Marker and put a giant black mark by my name in the Lamb's Book of Life..., or worse, a grieving, sorrowful god, saddened by the fact that he must turn his face from me for my lack of obedience. Let me say right now, for those in my youth who by word or deed made me view Hebrews 10:25 in a frightful way, I appreciate your diligence and your ethics and your desire to please the God you serve. I know your words and actions were from a genuinely loving heart, seeking to help me "get to heaven." I appreciate you, but I do not do Church for that.
I do not do Church because I am looking for a good, moral, Biblical lesson taught with great oratory skill. I can stay home and watch a preacher on TV or drop in any of some 1,000 places of worship in my home town. I do not do Church for that.
I do not do Church to keep myself unspotted from the "wicked" people out there "in the world." It would be a woeful misconception to think that is possible anywhere, including Church , because, guess what, I am there. I do not do Church for that.
I do not do Church because I need more friends and a social life, and that is a good place to find them. Actually, the older I get, the more I realize that I am not really looking for a "social life." I do not do Church for that.
BUT.....
I do Church because of Hebrews 10:25. I now think of it as a gift. For me, and I can and am speaking only for myself, the assembly is very important. I have come to believe that these assemblies we are encouraged to not forsake are for our good, and give us the opportunity to be of some good to others. I find that those who assemble can do so much more together than they can individually. The particular community with which I work asked us to give $60,000.00 for a Habitat for Humanity build. We raised over $100,000.00. I gave a miniscule, I mean teeny tiny, part of that. Others gave less (maybe), still others gave much more. None of us could have done it alone, but together we were able to do mighty deeds. I do Church for this.
I do Church because I need to hear what learned people are saying. I am blessed in my particular church community by young people who challenge me with their study, their wisdom, their humility, and, yes, their skill in articulating lessons of great value. I am grateful for their introduction of people of other faiths and beliefs and thoughts. I am forever grateful to them for freeing me from believing that I have to have all the answers. What a blessing. I need their encouragement. I do Church because older, wiser people share the lessons they have learned along the way. I do Church because there are people who can actually in 3 minutes or less, give a synopsis of Paradise Lost. I do Church for this.
I do Church because it reminds me that I am wounded and flawed and that the only response that is appropriate for me to offer those who are also wounded and flawed is the grace and mercy I solicit from them. I do Church because together a place like Next Right Step shines a light on God's love for those struggling with addiction. Everyone is held accountable - but held accountable in love and community, and when one grows too weary to deal with another's pain, someone else stands in the gap. Not all of us are called to work in this area, but all of us together can encourage and love and support in myriad ways the work. I do Church for this.
I do Church because there are people there who love my grandsons, and do not hesitate to tell them and me. I do Church because on one blessed Sunday morning I was given the privilege of hugging a young friend just about ready to deliver her first child. We, alongside others, walked through dark days of loss and deep feelings of hopelessness that a baby would ever come to this family. Now, we share the joy of expectation. While hugging that young woman, another young friend came up with whom I have walked through similarly dark days, gorgeous baby boy in tow. It was his first Sunday for the assembly. What a joy and a gift to assemble with these glowing examples of.....I don't know....Church? I stood and talked with another friend who recently lost her father. She is grieving so, but that assembly bolsters her spirit for another week of living her new normal with her father gone - well, physically gone. He will always live within her, her siblings, their children etc. I do Church because of the relatively new friend, the ever-serving, new friend, who shouts across the foyer to tell me hi and give me a hug. She, just a week before had lifted a burden from me, in her usual efficient, selfless way. I do Church because it gives me the opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with those who struggle, as others have walked and continue to walk with me. I do Church so we can claim the victory together. I do Church for this.
For today, I wish you blessings,
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