Contributed by Darren Lim • Jan 30, 2024
As I logged off from this week’s Combined Celebration, regret weighed heavily on my heart. I had missed the rare opportunity to worship Jesus as One church with brothers and sisters from five other congregations. I was deeply moved in my heart to rediscover the true meaning of being a part of the Church.
I whispered to myself: There will be so many people. It will be chaotic, uncomfortable and distracting to attend in-person. I had rationalised: Since I am on writing duty this week, it would be “easier”, “sensible” and even “wise” to attend online.
Easier. Sensible. Wise. These have been what I tell myself one too many times. It was all too easy to fall into the norm where it sometimes feels easier to focus if I worship God alone. Less messy, less inconvenience. Physical distancing has a way of pulling us into a false sense of self-sufficiency. All we need is God. Others become distractions that come between us and God.
I also tell myself that it is more important how we actively involve ourselves out there in the marketplace and in our community. Christian living and missions happen outside the four walls of the church. While that may be true, how wrong have I been! The Holy Spirit reminds me that church is where Jesus is also actively working through His beloved bride, the Church. The Spirit inspires and guides us to move in step with Him whenever we gather corporately to worship and pray. He challenges us to engage in the matters of our communities and the nation. Scripture reminds us in Matthew 18:20 ”For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.”
Iron sharpens iron. The Spirit is actively working to mould and shape us even through the challenges and conflicts we face. Yes, people are messy. Yes, people are difficult and oftentimes hurtful. Yet He prepares us for the work God has set in advance through our broken relationships.
The unity of the Church reflects God’s glory that draws the world to Him. It becomes the visible reality of what it means to be “One body but many parts”. We draw others to Jesus when we come together with a single identity, celebrating diversities and not allowing the biases of creed, colour and background to divide us. We are children of God, light of Christ, praising and shining for God.
Lord Jesus, forgive me for leading my family astray by slowly disconnecting from Your body, the Church. Help me and my family to rediscover the joys of worshipping You as a community. Ignite our hearts to consistently attend weekend in-person Celebrations. Teach us to pause and to stop running about getting things done but to instead love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Teach us to turn our gaze away from ourselves and be truly interested in others. Help us be chargers who engage and seek to make a difference in their lives. Amen.
