At My Place: Why We NEED to Be in Church

Because of my back injuries I haven't been able to drive to church for the past three months. (I did drive across town for the Christmas Eve service, but the icy bumps in the streets were cruel to my back.)

Three weeks ago I thought I was up to it again, but I went out to shovel the snow from the garden path to my car - that set me back with another fracture!

I dearly miss church, and all my friends there. Yes, I watch the service online, but it isn't the same as being there and grabbing someone's out-stretched hand, or scooting off to a side and having at catch-up conversation with a precious friend. Everything is better in Person!

I grow sad and pray harder for friends that missing Sunday after Sunday. What's happening to them?

Thinking it over, I realize that many excuses to skip just this once sneak up on us far too easily. In about 3 weeks it's a new normal habit. We think, there are enough people there that they won't miss me. (That's a lie!)

But it is true that if certain friends don't show up for a few weeks in a row, we are likely to shrug and think, "I wonder what has come up for them?" But if we get too busy we don't do anything about it. Gradually, our circle of Christian friends grows smaller and smaller. We may feel lonely, but just sigh. (Besides, we're now used to other self-indulgent things to watch or read.)

However, the Bible teaches that believers are to meet for fellowship every Sunday, even week-days, to encourage one another. Skipping church, is like taking a glowing log out of a fire and watching the embers die out and the log to grow cold.

We should choose a 'home' church to attend regularly and resolve to be there, not only for our own sake so our faith glows and burns brightly, but also to keep others alert and spiritually alive. The more involved we become as we volunteer for some jobs, the more our spiritual life will mature and soar with a heavenly brightness.

Our efforts to do daily Bible reading and prayer is going to add a vital spark to our spiritual lives, so that others will draw closer, hoping to catch spiritual fire from us.

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