Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Shelley Schurch
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Do you see the connection between the two photos above? I do, but I have a handful of advantages over you: I was the one who noticed these two sights, enjoyed them, took the photos, mulled over them this past week, and suddenly saw how they’re connected.
They reminded me of something I found in a book long ago, a sentence I underlined and starred. It was this (or a close approximation of this): “Becoming a Christian is a personal decision but not a private one.”
The author continued to describe how we live out our faith in community, not in isolation.
I think this impressed me so much because I realized then how much my childhood church of imperfect but endearing and loving people, plus friends of faith, had shaped my view of God, and the life I wanted to live.
I knew I wanted to always be connected to a community of faith. I wanted to absorb all that offered – people’s friendship, prayers, insights, encouragement, and even food (potlucks!). I wanted to receive from them what God was giving them to share.
And I wanted – and needed – to be a growing giver myself, learning how to best use what God was giving me in order to bless others.
I wanted to worship, together. I thought of the song Jeff Wood wrote in the early ‘70’s on my college campus. It begins like this: “Side by side we stand, awaiting God’s command, worshipping the saving King. Living by His grace, and moving on in faith, Jesus Himself will see us through.”
That was, and is, my picture of His church.
So, returning to my two photos. First, the “WE” of our neighbors’ backyard weather vane. Then, my second photo. Here’s where you need to use your imagination a bit. Do you see that “eye” on the tree trunk? Let’s call it an “I.”
Our lives are a blend of “I” (our personal, ongoing, saving relationship with our God), and “We” (our shared lives that flow out of that, into healthy, holy relationships with others).
And so I eagerly respond to the urging of Hebrews 10:23-25:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV)
As we enter the Fall season today, may we fall into all the healthy, holy habits of worshipping — together — our saving, soon-coming King.