viewoutsidethepew

Over the past three years three people have invited us to their “church”. All three meant well. But there are three problems.

First, we have had a house Church we belong to. As a small group it has been flexible to meet at various times depending on people’s schedule. That was vital as members include farmers and shift workers. Over the summer, however, we have basically not met because life is too complex and busy during farming season.

Second, most churches meet Sunday morning, and usually only then. One has a gathering Sunday evening as well. One has a Wednesday morning communion, but that no longer fulfils any spiritual need for me.

Third, what I want in a gathering is discussion, sharing and testimony of what God is up to in the lives of those present. Passive presence has become an offence to me.

Margaret and I do share daily devotions. I do my Bible reading. I mostly read devotionally now rather than

Thomas à Kempis on Mount Saint Agnes (1569) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

academically, and I am inspired, reprimanded, awestruck and comforted by Thomas à Kempis, Fenelon, Chris Downs, Andrew Murray, the blogs I follow and other similar writers. I listen to Christian radio. On rare occasions I watch a fantasy or sci-fi movie, the ones where the hero is redeemed, or finds their life mission (you know, the Gideon of the Bible Book of Judges type of story).

Still, the Bible makes it clear “We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming”
(Hebrews 10:24-25 God’s Word).

No, I am neither discouraged nor upset. My present state is described in Jeremiah 9:2 and I know that God is at work in my life. For example, God has taken my singing voice away and so I no longer am able to perform. God has given me a job to provide income to live in this world. My family stays close and I am more than blessed by the kindness of our daughters, the fun we have with our grandchildren, and the sense of repaying our Mothers for the sacrifices and love they have shown over the years.

In no trite way I believe, have experienced and teach, the profound truth of Romans 8:28-30, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. This is true because he already knew his people and had already appointed them to have the same form as the image of his Son. Therefore, his Son is the firstborn among many children. He also called those whom he had already appointed. He approved of those whom he had called, and he gave glory to those whom he had approved of” (God’s Word).

So, as the hymn (1887) by John H. Sammis says, “Trust and obey”.