It never fails. That thingamabob that you (or your children) had an eye on is finally with your grasp. You open the box…and it’s in 61 pieces. "Assembly Required." Peel the cling wrap off the big pieces. Open the bags. Pour all the pieces out on the floor. Count pieces and sort by shape, size and function. Look for the hidden allen wrench.
As you work your way through the instructions, deciding if part #J is a 1 ¼ inch hex-head bolt or a 1 ½ inch phillips-head bolt, it starts to come together. Progress! Eventually, the piece come together as designed to create a complete...whatever.
I would offer that the Church operates in much the same form with many different, individual parts whose DESIGN INTENT is to come together to form a functional whole. Assembly is required.
There are as many reasons today to come together in fellowship and worship as have ever existed. God designed us as social creatures, for It is impossible for us to rely solely upon ourselves for sustenance, security, knowledge, and growth. We rely upon each other as friends, family, coworkers, producers & consumers. And, we must rely upon God for true provision.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not foresake assembling together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
If we stay home (especially habitually), how are we to sing praises to and with each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs? To encourage one another in times of struggle? To embrace one another in sorrow or pain, and slap each other on the back in times of celebration and laughter?
If we stay home, what example are we setting for our children? Our wives/husbands? Our family? How about those in our circle of influence who truly need Christ, yet are perplexed by seeming deprioritization of God's grace and mercy...the Gospel?
It may be hard to go back, or go for the first time. And, yes, you may feel uncomfortable. But, that comfort level is not on the Church. It's on us. Because, after all, the Church is not "them"...it's US. Or, at least, that's how it should be.
And, just like those bolts that need a little extra persuasion to "get along", the struggle is often by design...so they don't come apart so easily.
So, to my Christian brothers and sisters out there: This Sunday...will you be part of the assembly?
As you work your way through the instructions, deciding if part #J is a 1 ¼ inch hex-head bolt or a 1 ½ inch phillips-head bolt, it starts to come together. Progress! Eventually, the piece come together as designed to create a complete...whatever.
I would offer that the Church operates in much the same form with many different, individual parts whose DESIGN INTENT is to come together to form a functional whole. Assembly is required.
There are as many reasons today to come together in fellowship and worship as have ever existed. God designed us as social creatures, for It is impossible for us to rely solely upon ourselves for sustenance, security, knowledge, and growth. We rely upon each other as friends, family, coworkers, producers & consumers. And, we must rely upon God for true provision.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not foresake assembling together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
If we stay home (especially habitually), how are we to sing praises to and with each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs? To encourage one another in times of struggle? To embrace one another in sorrow or pain, and slap each other on the back in times of celebration and laughter?
If we stay home, what example are we setting for our children? Our wives/husbands? Our family? How about those in our circle of influence who truly need Christ, yet are perplexed by seeming deprioritization of God's grace and mercy...the Gospel?
It may be hard to go back, or go for the first time. And, yes, you may feel uncomfortable. But, that comfort level is not on the Church. It's on us. Because, after all, the Church is not "them"...it's US. Or, at least, that's how it should be.
And, just like those bolts that need a little extra persuasion to "get along", the struggle is often by design...so they don't come apart so easily.
So, to my Christian brothers and sisters out there: This Sunday...will you be part of the assembly?
