Chris' Corner - Sunday, May 31, 2020
It feels really good to be getting back together for our public worship services. It's been a long eleven weeks.
For the most part many of our folks have decided to stay home for a while longer. This is a personal choice with a valid scriptural reason. People know their own situations and health concerns. The current threat is not over, but perhaps we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We pray for the day to come soon, when we all feel free and healthy to attend together at the church building once again. Until then we'll stay in touch as we have been doing, fellowshipping from afar. While some of us meet together in worship others will continue to worship at home.
For those of us who attend this first day back, taking precautions of social distancing is such a simple thing that displays love and respect for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Once again, we pray for the day to come soon, when we can see the joy on one another's faces that may be covered for the time being.
Our good elders have agonized over how to "return to normal" wisely and safely. They have taken into consideration the health concerns of everyone. In their prayers and deliberations, they have also been burdened with the effects the separation will have on the faith and dedication of the members under their care. Whenever we hear the "all-clear" from health authorities, their hope and prayer is for everyone to see the need to resume all services and activities with a renewed excitement and zeal.
The Bible is key to building up our faith and developing a hunger and thirst for spiritual things. Although the building is not the temple—the church is (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17), we see the excitement people had about going to worship God at the designated place.
David wrote, "l was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD" (Psalm 122:1). And, "One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple" (Psalm 27:4).
Early Christians met daily in the temple. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42).
In the context of assembling, the Hebrews writer said, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works... " (10:24). As we read verse 25 "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching," we must remember "not assembling" was not of our choosing. Forsaking means to "walk away, abandon, or desert." This is not what we have done by protecting ourselves and others during this quarantine.
Now is the time for us to unite under the banner of church fellowship, brotherly love, and support of one another. May we come together today in praise and worship to our God, waiting with great anticipation for each and every one to join us one day soon!