Carol and I are on a short, but much needed get away. We love what God is doing in the lives of our people, but we also know that, just like Jesus and the disciples we need to "come away for a while and rest."
While on this trip, we spent last evening with a great couple who were in full-time ministry for about 25 years, then left the local church to start another kind of ministry. During the course of the evening, what we can back to again and again was how much they missed the deep relationships they had formed in their church; and how hungry they were even now for true Community.
I'm increasingly convinced that when we have our small groups or other forms of community, we sometimes see them as "obligation" more than "opportunity". Sure it takes commitment to really "know" people and discover things about Jesus through them, but person after person tells me that it's that very experience they miss they most when they leave the Church.
Beautiful surroundings, lots of stuff, success, even "family" can't quite meet the core need we have to be with brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. Why not make an point of thanking the Lord for that gift today and be sure to convey your love to your Community Group as well! One day...you really will know the joy of this gift when you no longer have it.
Warm blessings!
Pastor Jay
We pray that you and Carol are being renewed by God's goodness. (Psalms 119:40 NLT)
ReplyDelete