I got plenty of church today! Two services in one morning! I think that’s a record for me!
I went by myself to the early church at Eastgate Seventh-day Adventist Church and thoroughly enjoyed the upbeat music and the pastor’s continuing study of Hebrews 11. Then I went home to get Ana and Rishana and we went to the College Place Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church together. Ana’s been wanting to hear God’s Word taught in her native language and this seemed like a good day to do that..
Although I did find myself longing for the gift of tongues at the Spanish Church, I still got a blessing from being there. The people were so welcoming and the food at the potluck afterwards was delicious. I think we’ll be going there more often (and not just for the food!).
Going to two church services in one day may seem excessive for many of you, but for me it was refreshing. I love spending time with God’s people, discussing Scripture together, hearing a good sermon, singing and worshiping our loving Heavenly Father. It refuels my batteries for the week ahead and refocuses my mind on the things that matter most – time with God, family, and with fellow believers.
In Hebrews 10:25 Paul warns us to “not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Although it’s fine to occasionally miss church to spend some time in nature or get some extra rest, if that becomes a habit we miss out on so much.
The truth is we need each other, now more than ever. This world’s not an easy place to live in and, unfortunately, it’s going to get worse. Now is not the time to try to make it on our own. We need to keep meeting together, lifting each other up in prayer, supporting each other through the hard times and laughing together in the good times. We’re so much stronger together, than we are apart. As Ephesians 4:12 says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.”
So, this next week, please come join us. Even if you haven’t darkened a church door in a while, you’re always welcome. If you’ve had a tough time with Christians in the past, please give us a chance to do better. We need you, you need us and we all need God. Don’t worry about your past or if you have the right clothes to wear. Just come as you are! Our doors are open! Just come home!