Today I went to church.
I gathered with fellow believers in our church building today for the first time in over six months. It’s felt like an eternity.
I had been apprehensive about it, if I’m honest. I had no idea what it would look like. I had no idea who would come. I had no idea how to suck in enough air to sing with a mask covering my face. I thought it would feel strange to worship with only half of our congregation as the other half attended our first service which was set in place for social distancing purposes. There was a bottle of hand sanitizer and a box of masks at the door as well as huge spaces between rows in the sanctuary. Knowing what things would be like, I thought there would be a heaviness in the air, a tenseness in my heart, distraction from worship and no chance to glean from the Word.
As I walked in and stared into the eyes of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (I’m getting really good at reading peoples eyes these days, because it’s a necessity), I did not find sadness, I did not find confusion, I did not find distraction, I did not find fear.
What I saw in the eyes of my dear friends was joy. There was joy in the hearts of people who’s connection, no matter their thoughts on this pandemic, is a common Lord and Savior who deserves our worship and our adoration, and today was our chance to gather together and offer him just that.
There was an excitement to be back in familiar surroundings with the people we love so dearly, excitement that not even a worldwide pandemic can keep us apart, not for the long run.
As we gathered together and began to sing, the excitement in my heart was unlike anything I’ve known. I thought a mask would distract me from worship (and I won’t lie, it’s tricky to sing with that thing on), but it did nothing to mask the joy, adoration, and triumph swelling in my heart over being back with my brothers and sisters to stand before our Creator, Lord, Everlasting Father, and Great Physician.
I grew up in church. Every. Single. Sunday. Give or take very few, I was in church and never thought a thing of it. I knew people in other countries were hindered from meeting for whatever reason, but I never knew what that was like. Never understood the gaping hole the lack of it causes. I went to church hardly ever grateful for being able to do so. I saw the same people and thought nothing of it. I worshipped unhindered… and often unmoved.
But today… today was something totally different.
Today I was able to appreciate the blessing that it is to meet with fellow believers every week. I entered into our beloved and familiar meeting place and was able to appreciate open, unhindered, heart felt worship as never before. Words that didn’t hold as much meaning, today meant EVERYTHING. To remind myself that God is truly good, that He is our only and everlasting hope, that Christ and his salvation are the only true thing we have which can NEVER be taken away. Come COVID, come elections, come natural disasters.
I realized something beautiful.
The church of Jesus Christ is not easily discouraged. The church of Jesus Christ will not be dispelled. The church of Jesus Christ is not easily depressed. The church of Jesus Christ is impacted by but never subject to any pandemic. It is a powerful thing when the people of God gather to worship and learn of him, united, together, and thriving.
By grace we have been saved. Our good God has offered us salvation and hope which cannot be taken away, no matter what the circumstance. Our hope is in Jesus Christ and we are held captive by no power on this earth.
And all in one moment, I felt as though I was standing with an army of thousands, ready for battle, war painted, sword drawn, shield ready, shouting, “FREEDOM!!!”
(Disclaimer: I’m not advocating for anyone to watch Braveheart. Yeah, that’d be inappropriate.)
None the less, I had my William Wallace moment as I stood with my fellow warriors in Christ.
Because we who trust in Christ are truly FREE.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8:35)
Ooooooooh, no! People, we are more than conquerors, MORE than conquerors, through HIM who loved us! And our gathering together is our united stand, our call for freedom, our battlecry of victory.
There is nothing about these circumstances, this sickness, this death, this unemployment, these financial issues, this election or these politics that can cause any lasting hurt or true separation amongst the people of God.
Across this confused and broken world, we are bonded in Christ, we gather, come what may, and we are encouraged, we are blessed, we are inspired, and we are reminded:
“…that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
United in Christ, the church still stands.
It was good to be back… so good to be back.
My Family Freedom 