1) I think of meeting people I’ve
known by name but not by face and realizing we are one big family
even with strangers around the world because we are all in Christ. We
have the privilege and responsibility to support one another with
love, prayer, resources, and talents even though we may never meet in
this life, and we may not even know our brother’s or sister’s
name. As we discussed in Bible class, biological families are only a
shadow of the greater spiritual family that we begin to experience
now, but we’ll experience in full in the Kingdom (Matt. 12:46-50).
2) I think of a hike-turned-mud-slog
and remember that we all have to go through those muddy days
sometimes, and it helps when you can go through them with friends.
There are all kinds of mud to slow us down—sin, pain, sorrow, loss,
etc. if we try to get through those times along, we are likely to
fall so often that we may eventually give up. But if we have people
to encourage us and lend a helping hand, we can make it to the end of
the trail. We were never meant to live the Christian life on our own
(Heb. 12:1-2).
3) I think of a youngster who ran on
ahead in the hike and got temporarily separated from the group when
the trail split. After a brief moment of panic, he was rescued and
restored. In the words of Mike Yaconelli, “Children are not afraid
to ask for help. They have no problem admitting they are in over
their heads... Adults, on the other hand, are anxious about calling
for help... it’s an admission of need, an acknowledgment of
weakness, and we don’t want to experience that kind of humiliation”
(Dangerous Wonder). I can think of many times when I’ve
wandered around, lost and panicking, but either didn’t call for
help or didn’t think I had anyone looking out for me. It’s
interesting that the first rule of wilderness experiences is if you
get lost, stay put, so you don’t keep wandering farther away from
those who are looking for you. That rule assumes that someone really
is looking, which can be unlikely if you live your life in isolation
from friends, family, and the Body of Christ. But even then, God
knows where we are and often sends people just when and where we need
them (Psalm 139:7-12).
4) I think of a comment I overheard one
evening, “Church X is no longer a true community church because
they’ve joined the Advent Christians.” This was immediately
following a sermon in which we were reminded that the true Church is
not about the building, denomination, or doctrine. (Evidently these
ladies didn’t listen to the message.) In reality, every church is a
community church because the Church is the people of Christ, and goes
out into the community wherever the people go. If we think that
church is just what happens when we gather together, we are sadly
misinformed and therefore lacking in initiative to represent Christ
in everyday life. Church gatherings are for the purpose of learning,
encouraging, and equipping the Body of Christ to be His light in the
world. However, I think some folks blow out their candles when they
leave the door of the church building (Matt. 5:13-16).
One final thought—we are each unique.
Some people are talkers and some are listeners. Some are energized by
time together and some are energized by being alone. Some enjoy
nature and some enjoy shopping, though I think everyone enjoys ice
cream and/or fudge. No matter what our preferences, we can find
something in common, especially if we are all in Christ!
