When I was in high school, I was known as the "church girl." People would watch what they said around me and apologize if they ever slipped up. I took that as a form of respect for me and the Jesus that I loved. I also thought it was funny. I grew up going to church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. You could say that I "grew up in a Christian home." And while that was the truth, it was far from perfect. I knew that my faith was not a product of my parents' faith. It wasn't until my sophomore year of high school that I took full ownership of my own faith. I trusted Jesus as my Savior and Lord. It was by far the best decision I have ever made. One day, I will sit down and write the story of how that came to be. But for now, I will share the ups and downs of my church attendance. Maybe yours is a lot like mine. Maybe not. Either way, my bible, and your bible proclaim the same teachings and the same truths. So let's get started!
Every Sunday morning, my alarm would go off at exactly 7:30. It was loud and obnoxious and on top of that alarm, my dad would holler up the stairs to make sure me and my sister were awake. We would get up, get dressed, brush our hair/teeth, and put a little bit of makeup on. We always had to be at church before most people because neither of us could drive yet and my parents taught the young couples Sunday school class. Some weeks were easy and some were extremely difficult. I was tired. I was hormonal. I was grumpy. I did not truly understand the importance of meeting together as a church.
Fast forward to my teenage years when I started to drive. I had now taken ownership of my faith and it was still difficult to be excited about church. Some Sundays I would beg to stay home and listen via live stream. I didn't see the issue. I definitely saw the benefits. I could stay in my pajamas. I wouldn't have to hug every person I saw. I could lay in the bed and get ready for the nap I'd take right after service. It was A W E S O M E. I didn't understand why I was the only one so excited about technology. Did anyone else experience this or am I the only one? What's better than church in the bed?
Though my dad would not allow me to stay home unless I was sick or we were out of town, I knew that things would change soon. I graduated high school and moved into the dorm at my college. There was only a small local church in the same city as the college, but no one my age went there. I would often come home on the weekends, but for the most part, my church attendance took an extreme decline. So much so that when I moved to the university to finish my last two years of college, I stopped going to church entirely. I had no excuse other than I was indulging in worldly things and was NOT focused on Christ and certainly not His church. I began to do things and say things that were simply not who I was. I experimented with the very things that Jesus died for. And while this is not simply because I wasn't involved in church; I can guarantee you that it was one of the decisions that led me away from my relationship with Christ. I no longer had communication with Him. I definitely didn't open my bible. I didn't even know where it was.
As a result of these decisions, I became someone that I, nor anyone else, could even recognize anymore. One day, I will share the story of the encounter that I experienced that led me back to Christ. It's worth the wait, I promise. But let's talk about the moment I decided to start meeting together with the body of Christ again. It was not easy to step inside the church again but ever since, I have NEVER wanted to leave. Which makes this time a little more difficult. (but shoutout to technology and the God who moves through it).
When I was a child, it was a dream to meet together virtually. I wanted it so bad because I was SlEePy and LaZy. But now, as I am truly engaged in my relationship with Christ, I know the importance of meeting together physically. If you are still reading this, thank you for your support in reading my mess. This is how I best express my feelings and my emotions. I truly believe that God moves through words. Hints: WORD of God :) :)
There are many reasons and many verses I could list about meeting together but here are a few:
1. ACCOUNTABILITY
Proverbs 27:17 -- "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
James 5:16 -- "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed."
2. COMFORT
Proverbs 18:10 -- "The name of the Lord is a strong tower' the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
Matthew 5:4 -- "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
3. ENCOURAGEMENT
Ephesians 4:29 -- "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
1 Thessalonians 5:11 -- "Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
4. VULNERABILITY
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 -- "We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our hearts are wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return, widen your hearts also."
Galatians 6:2 -- "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
5. SECURITY
John 15:13 -- "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Acts 20:28-30 -- "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."
6. SIMILAR INTERESTS
Proverbs 18:24 -- "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
2 Corinthians 1:7 -- "Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will share in our comfort."
I know that we cannot meet together face to face right now (thanks rona), but we can meet through technology. Make the decision to continue growing your relationship with Christ and one another by meeting virtually with your church and small groups. We are still breathing. God is not done. This is still a season of growing. Let's grow together, friends.
Hebrews 10:24-25 -- "And let us consider how to stir one another up in 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."
Comments