My church has what could probably best be referred to as a motto. It simply says “Welcome Home”. That statement could not be any more true as it applies to my life. From the first time I ever attended I felt like it was at home. It didn’t take multiple services or making friends to get to that point. From the very first moment I walked in I just felt like I was at home at First Apostolic Church of Maryville and I have never looked back.
But now with everything that is going on in our world and those circumstances keeping me from home I really am starting to feel homesick. I really just want to go home and be reunited with my brothers and sisters in faith. United in our purpose to come before our God with an offering of praise and worship. With open hearts ready to receive His word.
I, of course, understand that it’s not the building that makes us the church. But it’s also not a house that makes you a family. Yet that does not change the fact that when you spend time away you always want to get back to the place that just feels right.
In my case, that place is my church. I truly miss it and I long for the day we are able to return the house of Lord. You better believe that I will come with a praise on my lips. With the very same feeling bubbling up that was expressed by the Psalmist.
Psalm 122:1 (ESV)
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
My prayers go out to all those who have been affected in major ways by all that is happening. I pray for those who are sick, have experienced loss, find themselves without a job, and all those working to resolve this issue. I would never want to take away from anything they are going through and I pray that God will move into every one of the situations. Doing what only He can.
But I also pray for those who like me find themselves homesick. That long to once again come together in one accord and worship God in their home church. Because these are the times we look to bind together for strength. But right now we can’t and we truly don’t know when we will be able to again. I pray that live-saving faith would not be lost as we all wait to go home.
But praise be to God because there is light on the horizon! We will see the other side of this. There is a day ahead when things will return to normal and we will be able to return home. I believe that God has a purpose in all this so great that even though we are seeing it we will not be able to believe it. Because that is how the Lord has always worked.
Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)
5 “Look among the nations, and see;
wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
that you would not believe if told.
Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Even though we find ourselves homesick and lacking our normal fellowship. We must use this time for a good while we have it. It’s time to dive deep into God’s word and store it in our hearts. To get down on our knees and pray like never before. Making sure we do not neglect to give the Lord all the worship He is worthy of. And we must stay prepared for the day we are able to go back home because great are going to follow.
I must add that I am so thankful for an amazing pastoral team and production team. They are working so hard every day to provide the church body with great apostolic content throughout this time. But I know that you too are longing for the day that we can all be gathered together in one place in one accord again.
We can all agree that online church is a blessing but it will never be able to replace the real thing. When the people of God are united together and the Spirit begins to move in mighty ways. Thank you for all you are doing and I can’t wait to join you back at home.
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