Learning to love the Body <3
Our church started holding a prayer time for anyone to attend on Wednesdays at noon. It is good to stop midweek, midday and gather with some of our church family. We listen to God’s word being read, sing a couple of songs and then join with two or more to pray for the topic of that day.
This was prompted by a recent initiative to expand on existing ministries and create some new ways to minister in our community and around the world. Some of this expansion involves a physical change to several areas of the building.
Change is always unsettling, so as I entered in for prayer this week, I had to maneuver around a U-haul being loaded with large pieces of furniture headed off to storage. This isn’t my first or second or even third rodeo of this nature since Russ and I made this our church home almost three decades ago.
We left a church we had loved when we realized that we could not come under the spiritual leadership of that place any longer. It was like a divorce and it hurt deeply. But God brought us to a place where we found growth in Him, connection with others and have shared the bulk of our adult life within this fellowship of believers.
It has not always been ideal. We have struggled at times. Hoops of change have been jumped through. But the leadership has consistently been based on Truth taught in grace and love. Even when accused otherwise. They have consistently taken the high road and we have found mentors, mentees and comrades at our chosen place of worship.
Our new normal for the next month plus will be flexing to make room for the work being done on the building. Service times and locations will change. There will be temporary partitions and noise during the week. The staff will deal with this on the daily.
Anyone who has remodeled a home, painted a room or even just rearranged furniture knows that change like this can create some groaning and complaining. I knew when we first heard of the proposed goals for the next few years there would be ripples and sometimes waves of discontent.
So I started then, and I continue now to pray a simple prayer, “Lord, help me to love this church better.” Since I started praying that prayer, He has opened my eyes to so many good things. He has also rekindled kindness and love in me towards so many of the people I had come to take for granted.
Wherever you are attending church, I recommend this prayer as something to add to your week. Yes, we want the Holy Spirit to inspire a deeper love for our Lord, but we also would do well to have Him fill us with a deep affection for those who share in our weekly worship and fellowship.
We are all flawed humans, but made in the image of God. It is good to remember that as we ask God to grow that tenderness of heart in us towards others.
God bless each of you as we head into the Memorial Day Weekend <3