Gathering When We Are Apart
Hey students! I hope you are doing well and that in the midst of the unprecedented times we are living in that you are encouraged and hopeful. Over the past few weeks, the Coronavirus has spread across the world and has begun to impact the areas we live. Among many other changes to our lives is the reality that we are not able to gather together in our building for worship, teaching, and fellowship. As we have discussed in the past…the Church is not a building but a gathering of people.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together reminds us that throughout the history of the Christian church, many have had to live life apart from physically gathering with other believers. He also calls out the reality that for those who have the blessing of gathering with other believers, they fall in danger of falling into superficial formality and grow numb to the blessing we have. He writes that “It is true, of course, that what is an unspeakable gift of God for the lonely individual is easily disregarded and trodden under foot by those who have the gift every day. It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us (Life Together, p. 20).”
Often, we become mindful of a blessing when it is no longer available to us. Lord willing, our time apart from gathering together will be short but let this time serve as a reminder of how gracious God is to enable us to be together.
Psalm 34:1 “I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” May we be found worshipping God in the midst of our circumstances not just when we are together!
In this first devo, I just want us to be reminded of how blessed we are. God in His graciousness towards us allows us to receive teaching from His Word and to have close friendships with other Christians. We gather when we are apart through Jesus Christ. By faith we are saved and by faith we look forward to when we will be able to gather as a church again. Until then, here are three action steps we can take to maintain our gathering.
Be intentional to connect with each other! You are the most technologically supplied and capable people…use this unique resource to stay connected with each other. Encourage one another and stay connected!
Be intentional to connect with God! Be sure to set time aside for personal time in the Word and prayer. Furthermore, let me challenge you to participate in the service and bible study livestreams we will be having!