Tonight I was reading from Knowing Christianity by J. I. Packer for my social work and Christian Theology class. One of the chapters I read was about fellowship. It talked about how fellowship runs deeper than mere Christian social gatherings. Rather fellowship is when believers live together relying on each other for physical and spiritual needs. When individuals are as open with their hearts as they are with their hands. When people allow themselves to be vulnerable to one another in order to encourage and to be encouraged. Where sharing in vulnerabilities is as common as sharing groceries and chores. I don't know about you, but I long for fellowship. I look forward to the day when I get to stand in the presence of God with other believers and share in that type of community.
Let me paint you a picture...
What I long for is what the disciples had. They shared in their spiritual journey like they shared the money with which they bought groceries. Judas was the treasurer for the ministry. I relate that position to my father, the person who takes care of the business side of things in the family. Like my family, the believers are a family. There is someone to write the checks at the supermarket, one to cook dinner, and even one to do the dishes. What I picture then, is the family of believers living in the presence of God, enjoying in the intimacy that occurs in vulnerability (or the Heaven equivalent), and joyfully carrying out necessary tasks. Where no one slips through the red tape or the margins of society. Rather there is a place for everyone, and each person with their unique abilities fits perfectly with the tasks given them. I want to be apart of that community.
Let me paint you a picture...
What I long for is what the disciples had. They shared in their spiritual journey like they shared the money with which they bought groceries. Judas was the treasurer for the ministry. I relate that position to my father, the person who takes care of the business side of things in the family. Like my family, the believers are a family. There is someone to write the checks at the supermarket, one to cook dinner, and even one to do the dishes. What I picture then, is the family of believers living in the presence of God, enjoying in the intimacy that occurs in vulnerability (or the Heaven equivalent), and joyfully carrying out necessary tasks. Where no one slips through the red tape or the margins of society. Rather there is a place for everyone, and each person with their unique abilities fits perfectly with the tasks given them. I want to be apart of that community.
The Fellowship of the Believers
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47
Comments
Post a Comment
Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24