Can You Feel the Heat?
Pastor came up with an analogy recently that was so profound, even Dennis looked at me and said, “There’s a HOPE Note.” Usually, before he gets into his message, Pastor will address the online crowd, welcoming them and thanking them for tuning in; but this particular Sunday, he stressed the importance of being in church by giving us a visual of one of those fake fireplaces…they look like a real fire but they put out no heat…there’s no warmth. When you watch church online, you’re seeing the pastor and the people, but there’s no connection…no warmth from a hug or prayer.
We’ve all done it, but mainly because we’re sick or on vacation and physically unable to attend. But there are some who, maybe after COVID, when everything was shut down, fell away from the actual function of getting up and going to church. We got comfortable watching church from home, shopping online…hunkering down and “sheltering in place.” But if you were a member of TLCC, you know that during the pandemic, Pastor was not happy about not having church; so, what did he do? He made a way where there was no way! Someone donated a flatbed trailer for the band’s platform, then they created a radio station that you could tune to in your car and we had DRIVE-IN church! Not only was it fun and creative, but it was meaningful to me because we didn’t stop coming together as a group of believes to worship our God. We followed government mandates…we distanced ourselves and didn’t get out of our cars to “meet and greet,” but I think we all felt a deeper sense of connection, even though we couldn’t physically connect.
There’s something different that happens when you’re in house of God. I’m not suggesting the Holy Spirit can’t move in your living room, but in my personal experience, His presence during worship is so much more evident when I’m actually in church. Maybe it’s hearing all the voices, not just those of the praise team, but hearing the entire congregation unite as one to honor the King. Maybe it’s the ‘amens’ from the people as Pastor preaches his message…these are things you don’t catch when you’re watching online.
In Ephesians 4:16, Paul compared the church to the human body. In order for the body to work, every member must do its part. Your presence makes a difference, not just to the pastor, but to the entire congregation, because your time and talent is different than mine, and together, we strengthen those around us. Church is also a support system; it’s a community where we can socialize and make friends, a network of believers…a family who we can rely on in times of need.
Just like Pastor made a way to have church when we were told we couldn’t have church, we have to make a way to get to the house. We can’t just “fit God in” at our convenience or comfort level. If you never overcame the fear of being in close proximity of others, remember that God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) Trust Him that He will protect you. If you’ve just gotten too used to sleeping in and enjoying your day off, remember James 1:22 "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Being a doer involves action. Don't just hear the message, be a doer...DO get up and go to church. DO engage in worship and fellowship with other believers. DO remember that we have the freedom that many don't...the ability to gather in His name without fear of persecution. DO the Book and see if it doesn’t warm your soul.