Like a warm blanket on a chilly day
Yesterday, I spent time with old friends. As we sat around another's table for soup and conversation, I reflected on the ties that brought us all together. Many years ago, we moved to the Midwest after my husband's 10-year stint in the military. Knowing few people in our new city, we hungered to put down roots and make good friends. Both were achieved when we found a church.
Church means different things to different people. Sometimes it is a place to visit on special occasions. Often the church conjures negative thoughts, especially if one has been subject to shouted death threats from the pulpit from proverbial turn-or-burn sermons. Mostly, I believe the church is where people go to look for God, believing they will walk away with some sort of good feeling, motivation to live well or sense of awe. Sadly, many leave empty or frustrated.
In Old Testament times, God had specific dwelling places on Earth. Then, in an inexplicable act, He kind of unleashed Himself after the death of Christ and no longer restricts Himself to specific "holy places" but lives inside the souls of His people. No longer confined to a structure, experiencing the holy presence of God occurs in many many places. So what is the purpose of the church?
The church building contains the things His people need to do His work. Things like books, copiers, crayons, bread, learning tools and perhaps a baptistery. The true church consists of His people … people who agree that God is something worth pursuing both in understanding and in relationship. Although no one agreeing on every thought or belief, the common thread of the true church should be the pursuit of love. Getting our minds around God’s love for us so we can love other’s better.
Lunch with my friends consisted of much more than soup. The laughter heard that day shared a common thread supernaturally woven through the lives of each of the people gathered around the table … hearts, which hold a dwelling place of the Almighty.
Caroline
Church means different things to different people. Sometimes it is a place to visit on special occasions. Often the church conjures negative thoughts, especially if one has been subject to shouted death threats from the pulpit from proverbial turn-or-burn sermons. Mostly, I believe the church is where people go to look for God, believing they will walk away with some sort of good feeling, motivation to live well or sense of awe. Sadly, many leave empty or frustrated.
In Old Testament times, God had specific dwelling places on Earth. Then, in an inexplicable act, He kind of unleashed Himself after the death of Christ and no longer restricts Himself to specific "holy places" but lives inside the souls of His people. No longer confined to a structure, experiencing the holy presence of God occurs in many many places. So what is the purpose of the church?
The church building contains the things His people need to do His work. Things like books, copiers, crayons, bread, learning tools and perhaps a baptistery. The true church consists of His people … people who agree that God is something worth pursuing both in understanding and in relationship. Although no one agreeing on every thought or belief, the common thread of the true church should be the pursuit of love. Getting our minds around God’s love for us so we can love other’s better.
Lunch with my friends consisted of much more than soup. The laughter heard that day shared a common thread supernaturally woven through the lives of each of the people gathered around the table … hearts, which hold a dwelling place of the Almighty.
Caroline
This entry was posted
on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 6:25 AM.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment