Clay in the Hands

I look forward to my Wednesday night schedule each week.  Each Wednesday I have the pleasure of gathering with some of our church family around tables and enjoying a meal together.  The fellowship is sweet.  Last night I listened – – and observed.  There was laughter and smiles – there was joy.  A part of me wanted to be at each table at the same time.

And then, after the meal, everyone scatters to all parts of the church for different ministries and Bible studies.  I get the opportunity to meet with a growing group of folks in our chapel where we spend a few minutes in prayer and then dive into God’s word and wrestle with what we find there together.

Last night was particularly transformative for me (and I pray it was for those gathered).  We worked through the later half of chapter 4 of the book of James.  There was great discussion and even some push back on some of the points I shared.  It was glorious.  When we wrapped up I made the statement that I appreciated everyone being there and in that moment I realized – I am having a blast!

As I have reflected on the experience, God has opened my eyes (just a bit) to the importance of gathering together to study God’s word.  I have been doing this for years and have waxed on about the importance of assembling together and the benefits of building relationships with other believers through small group ministry.  But something hit me this morning like a ton of bricks.

As I thought about all those gathered together in the chapel last night I thought about the diverse mix of folks – some college students, some old enough to be those students’ great-grand parents – some newcomers to the faith and some who have been followers in the Way for longer than I have been alive.  The collective wisdom of literally hundreds of years was brought together for 45 minutes to learn from God’s word.  Even writing these words gives me pause.  If I were to be able to ask each person in attendance, the number of years they have followed Jesus, the calculation would actually have been well over a thousand.  A thousand years of collective spiritual experience all gathered together in one room, focused on the same thing at the same time.  WOW!  That my friends is the church!!

What a humbling experience!

What you bring to the family may seem insignificant.  Maybe you have been a believer for most of your life – or maybe you are just getting started on this path.  Either way, when you combine what God has given you with what God has given the others in the family, the result is amazing and beautiful.

God has a place for you in a local body of like-minded believers.  If you are anywhere near Corpus Christi, I pray you will plug in with us.  But where ever you may be – plug in somewhere.  What you have to offer can only be offered by you.

Stay engaged!