I met with some friends today. There were only 4 of us. This was only the second time I have "gathered" with them on a Sunday.
In the morning, I found I was feeling reluctant to go. I was tired. I felt some of the same pressure I used to feel on a Sunday morning; that I had to go and be "up", be focused, be "spiritual." I really wanted to just "hole up" for the day, and not face anybody.
Not too surpisingly, I had a wonderful time of fellowship. We did not sing, and the only prayer was grace before our lunch. But we had time to relax, to little by little, allow ourselves to come out of ourselves. To laugh. To cry. To admit to struggles. To praise God for His goodness. To marvel, again, at this new "venue" for assembling together. To share. The good and the bad. To admit we hardly know a thing. To realize just how precious real fellowship is.
We don't know how future "meetings" will go. We don't know who may or may not show up. But the pressure is off. As I said today, "if anyone else wants to come, just tell them not to expect anything." I think that's the secret. It's an amazing thing, to let go of having to meet some standard or other. To simply take God at His word, and trust Him to meet with us there. It all becomes so real. I don't think I have words to explain it. I only know I am so thankful, and looking forward to many more times like today. Hard to believe, but it really is just that simple.
11 comments:
Yes it is different once you go 'organic'.
There is always the pressure (underlying current or expectation) to morph the same thing that you left. In some twisted way it has to look 'Christian' or 'Churchy'.
Learning to rest in Him is countercultural and not natural for even us as His siblings/children.
Jesus is indeed the Head of His Church if we gaze upon Him and lean on Him as such ... simply following His lead as the Head of the House (living stones).
Sounds like you had church at the warehouse and didn't invite me,,,,,,,,,,, sniff...
Just kidding but not about church at the warehouse.
Best
me
WC, you are right about the pressure to look Christian, or Churchy. There can be an expectation that your getting together will have a "Sunday Worship" flavor, and must include certain elements, every time, like your former meetings in the building did. I think we struggle with that, and then worry that we might start "making" things happen, which would put us back behind the barriers that we so longed to be free of.
As for myself, I am learning to simply be content to be together, knowing that our reason for that is Christ alone. To speak of Him and how He impacts our hearts and lives. To make Him the center of our attention, and the glorious thread that sews us all together. And I am confident that as we do that, our time together will be directed by His Spirit. So I don't think I will ever be "disappointed". How could I be? I am so thankful for this new understanding of worship and fellowship. I know we will all continue to grow in our understanding of Him, and of His grace.
Leonard, you are welcome to come to a meeting any time. It would mean quite a drive for you though. :o)
My wife has always told me that there is beauty in simplicity. I always thought she was really telling me, "keep it simple...stupid"! But what you are describing here really makes sense to me.
If I were to travel to Canada and attended one of your meetings.............I could actually pray a real prayer without using "King James" like so many others do!!!! Just joking....kind of!
Lovely!
The Holy Spirit is really good at His job. When we allow Him to dictate the "agenda" the pressure is totally off.
Then, as you say, we become free indeed! Free to laugh. To cry. To do all the things that equate to True Fellowship!
May you continue to explore and enjoy this freedom with others of the One mind - The Mind of Christ.
Ike, I hear you about the "King James" language. I think we all learned the "right" way to pray. There is a kind of "form" where you just fill in the blanks with names, and specific requests. The rest is scripted. At least it seems that way sometimes. I still struggle with that.
Thank you Adam for your encouragement. It truly is a beautiful thing, to simply "be" together, knowing that Holy Spirit is in charge. You are right, it allows for real communication, and authenticity that is impossible in the "building." It really is that simple. Amazing.
Sounds marvelous...
What a beautiful picture of doing church...
Maureen, by God's grace that is what our meeting have been like so far. It seems the one indispensible is that the focus of the meeting must be Him - we meet for the purpose of talking about Him, His impact on our lives, how we are doing in our walk under Him, pray for and encourage one another, etc. If you stick with that, you can't go too far wrong. Stray from that and expect to be on the rocks in a matter of weeks.
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