Finding Our Way Back to Church
As the world slowly returns to normal after a long and challenging season, many of us are faced with the question: what now? For some, the thought of returning to church may feel daunting or overwhelming. Others may be hesitant due to lingering concerns or fears.
Diagnosing Our Hearts
In Proverbs 20:5, we read, “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” It’s essential to take a step back and reflect on our motivations and desires. What’s driving our hesitation to return to church? Is it fear, comfort, or something else?
The Dangers of Isolation
Our individualistic culture often encourages us to make decisions in isolation. However, this approach can lead to unwise choices. Proverbs 18:1 warns, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” We need the input and support of others to navigate life’s challenges.
Rediscovering the Power of Community
God has called us into relationships filled with time together, spiritual conversation, mutual prayer, heart openness, and healthy accountability. By participating in corporate worship and fellowship, we experience the bread and wine of communion, the fellowship of the body, and the small inconveniences of preparation and travel that are healthy acts of devotion to our risen Lord.
Overcoming Fears and Comforts
Sometimes, our hearts take the wrong turn at the crossroads between commitment and comfort. We may have grown comfortable with our no-commute, no-prep Sunday mornings at home. But God has called us to gather, worship, fellowship, and serve together (Heb. 10:24-25). It’s time to reassess our priorities and seek outside insight as we navigate our decision-making.
Practicing Forgiveness and Reconciliation
The past year has been tumultuous, and many of us have experienced strained relationships. Instead of reacting with disillusionment, we need to practice daily forgiveness and pursue proactive reconciliation. As we cultivate a forgiving heart, we should also extend grace to our church leaders when they make decisions that frustrate us.
Embracing Our Embodied Nature
We’re embodied creatures meant to interact in person (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:18-25; 3:20). The local church is by definition an assembly—a physical gathering united by a spiritual identity. We’re a body, not a prosthetic warehouse; a pack, not a scattering of lone wolves; a temple, not a dispersion of loose stones.
Shining Together
Our desires to see each other should always be growing instead of atrophying. As we experience the kinds of trouble that Jesus promised in our broken world, we should spend more time together, not less. With all appropriate caution and all biblical courage, we should “consider how to stir up one another to 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” (Heb. 10:24-25).
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