“So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Acts 9:31 (ESV).
What a time it must have been! The ACTS church. Focused and Faith-filled. Grounded and Grateful. Prayerful and Potent. Christ-centric and Christ-infused. So often, we read of all that was the ACTS church and think to ourselves: “Why can’t it be like that today?” Why indeed?
In 2022, the Church may very well be at a critical crossroads. After being shut down and torn apart by COVID, it is now trying to rebuild to a place of value and strong community. Yet some of the people who once filled the pews seem hesitant to return. Has the enemy used fear to diminish and divide our holy assembly? Does the important thread of Sunday congregation need to be reconfirmed in this time of post-COVID?
I think that in those questions, there is a call that we should be reminded of:
24 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT).
The Church remains the bride of Christ. And we are the Church. His promised return to forever unites with His bride puts us all on notice. Our faith must flow back into the bride as glorious anticipation for that approaching day. And as we come back together under His roof, energizing ourselves with His message of service and love for others, we move to fulfill the hope of Jesus for His people. I believe these thoughts hold the key to moving forward.
The Church may have lost its way within the world when COVID struck. However, there is still a place for it in this new emerging world. The Church is being called to come together and present all required of it by Christ. The community of believers must unify and testify. Jesus Christ’s message of love and truth is needed now more than ever! The seas may be stormy, but we can be a lighthouse shining through the chaos, beckoning people from all over to a safe harbour within His Church.
I STILL BELIEVE IN HIS CHURCH
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV).
Throughout all that has gone before and all that is still in flux now, I still believe in His Church. And I invite all of you to rally back to it. To re-invest yourselves inside of it. To build back that strong and unmovable community, bonded together and supporting all of its members. Looking to turn its eyes outward to the surrounding community- Reaching out with kindness, compassion, love, and selfless giving.
I am reminded of a lyric from the Rend Collective song, Build Your Kingdom: “We are your church, and we are the hope on earth.” May it be so!
“ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ” Colossians 3:16 (ESV).
Your Turn: How has this blog inspired you to turn your eyes outward to the community surrounding you as part of the Church? To reach out with acts of kindness, compassion, love and selfless giving.