So I inwardly rejoiced upon reading her message. It was a wonderful way to begin my day.
A church member sent me a message containing these words: “Thank you for your prayers and the prayers of the body. Just being a part of Christ’s body and knowing of the prayers of brothers and sisters and his love is an amazing thing… I would not have gotten through [my trial] without the Lord and his church.” Yes, indeed, she gets it.
If there was any member who could be excused for excusing herself from gathering with and ministering to one another in our church, she would be high on the list. But because she gets it, she gathers, she prays, she asks for prayers, and she serves. She serves as a wonderful example to me, and to so many, of what it means to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and to his church. Who she is is not the point, but what she is is the point. She is a church member who has persevered, and who continues to persevere, through difficulties. And she is doing so in dependence upon Jesus Christ and the church in which the Lord placed her many years ago. She gets what it means to be a member of the body of Christ.
She gets what it means to respond to encouragements to gather, especially when so burdened that she does not want to face people. She gets her covenantal responsibilities as a church member to serve the church. She gets what it means to be dependent upon Christ and hence to humble herself to ask for help, including asking for the prayers of others. Yes, she gets it. Do you? I am grateful to God that so many do!
What I’ve written applies to a majority of our members. Weekly, I hear of members reaching out to members asking for help and of members reaching back to assist. This includes discipling relationships, the meeting of material needs, as well as the extension of hospitality to members. It is also being increasingly seen with a growing number of people (those not providentially hindered) gathering for Sunday evening worship focusing on prayer. If you are struggling in these areas then let me encourage you to “abstain from the passions of the flesh that war against your soul” (1Peter 2:11) and make the necessary adjustments to connect, commune, contribute, and grow.
Let me encourage you to join a Grace Group and stick to the commitment. If able, reach out and show hospitality to others. What a great way to get to know and to encourage your fellow church members! Utilise the privilege to ask the church, including the elders, for prayer. (I was particularly blessed last Sunday evening by the transparency of a mother’s heart in asking for prayer for the salvation of her son. And now that I am aware, I am praying for this.) Plan on staying around for a cup of coffee after the morning service and reaching out to connect with others. Move beyond your comfort zone and invite others into your circle. What I am encouraging is for each of us, like our sister, to be a blessing and to enjoy the blessings.
Even if you get it, Paul reminds us that there is always room for growth. “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers…. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10).
Grateful for membership of a church filled with those who get it.
Doug