Scripture: Romans 1:11-12 – “For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (NRSVue)
It has been a long time since I have been in church. Between my once-in-a-lifetime trip to the United Kingdom and my “souvenir” of COVID, I feel very isolated from the life of the church. As I think about this, there are two lessons I would like to share.
The first is that the habit of going to church is important. Getting off your rhythm can be easy. A vacation is nice, and necessary, but when absence gets extended, it becomes very easy mentally to get used to not having to wake up early, get ready, and put aside chores. Before you know it, church becomes more of a burden than a blessing, and you begin to lean ever more on your own spirituality. I can pray myself, you say. But there is no substitute for praying together. Studies have shown that people are happier, healthier, and even live longer when they go to church. Putting aside spirituality for a moment, the role of having a community that you know cares about you makes a tremendous difference, especially when you get older or are going through times of emotional stress.
The second lesson takes these ideas to the next step. It is not just a mental loss when you do not attend church, it is a spiritual one. When you do not attend church, you are holding something back. It is not just an offering or a word of welcome, but a spiritual gift which is meant for the good of others. It may not seem like much. You may not be able to do the things you used to do. But you have something that God wants you to share, and when you are not present, that gift is sorely missed.
Paul was the one who first articulated the idea of spiritual gifts in his letters. In his Letter to the Romans, he first puts forward how he longs to share his gifts with the congregation in Rome, whom he has not met. But he quickly corrects himself. Rather, it is important that they mutually encourage each other. I personally can fall into the trap of seeing my spiritual gifts as something to share and forget how important it is to have others share their gifts with me. And I forget that when our gifts combine, we become more than the sum of our parts because the Holy Spirit is magnified through us.
When we go to church, we have something to give, we have something to gain, and we have something to grow. As we look on the last few weeks of summer, do not forget to get back in the habit of attending church and of putting God and your church family back on the top of your priorities.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me always sight my mind on you and your grace. Amen.
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