When you get to the end of your life, what is it that you want to be surrounding you? Some of us strive to achieve wealth in life, or maybe we want a beautiful home to return to after a hard day’s work, or we may want to go on vacation regularly.
But whatever it is that you want to be surrounded by, I haven’t spoken to anyone who talked about bringing with them their favorite pair of clothing, or their most expensive car, because it’s always what they want around them, as they take their last breath. Some of us have pulled away from people, maybe out of hurt or pain, but we forget that we were never made to do this life alone. Instead of trying to rebuild those relationships, we are working hard to fill our lives with “stuff” or memories that do not really matter, when it’s all said and done.
Jesus is coming soon, and it shouldn’t come as news to us as we are in the end times. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that Jesus will come like a thief in the night. That means we don’t get to know whether He’s returning in three weeks or three days. So why are there still so many of us who want to do life alone? Why are there so many of us walking away from loved ones? The time is now, to rebuild those friendships, repair our relationships, and restore our own hearts, to reflect the love that God has shown to us because honestly, we shouldn’t want to blink and miss the one thing we were created to have… RELATIONSHIP!
Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Personally, the beauty of meeting together as a corporate body goes way beyond being simply a command in Scripture. There are so many joy-producing, God-glorifying, life-altering reasons God calls us to be a part of a local church body.
Besides the spiritual accountability that our community provides, coming together regularly as a Church body also provides a “Christian community” amidst a culture that easily makes black and white hazy. It provides the community that all of us desperately need—none of us were created to walk through tragedies, hardships, or even joys ALONE (Romans 12:15). And the impact we can do for the Kingdom is so much greater as we all use our gifts together rather than apart.
You may have been hurt by the church. But, folks, being broken doesn’t change our need for community or the truths of the Gospel. The church is full of people who struggle, sin, and fall too. We’re all so broken. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t have any need for a Savior. Praise God we don’t have to work out our own salvation, for none of us would be able to.
Christians are sinful and can be blinded by sin. By the grace of God, we can all apologize where needed, learn, and grow within the community. Amidst the hurt I’ve had, remembering this has helped me extend grace as I force myself to remember the truth. May we not neglect the Lord’s command and the incredible opportunity we have to live within the Christian community.
Hat_ Scala
Suit_ J.Crew
T-Shirt_ ASOS
Sneakers_ Kurt Geiger
