WHEN WE GATHER

Going to church to some may seem like a routine and to others a necessity,still for some a lifestyle that they are obligated to live,some even stay at home,yet still to some it is a service both to the LORD and to themselves.
No matter the reasons as many as may seem,the fact still remains that the church is likened to a hospital where people of different ailments and background meet.No matter how frail and weakened they are,yet they all need each other to survive.

As Christians,no matter our weaknesses,sins,habits or flaws we all need each other to make it to heaven.If I choose to separate myself from my brethren and think I am being holy that way,then I am missing it and moving away from heaven.My ability to recognize my mistake and tolerate one another helps me to see that we all are weak at some point and until you walk in the other person’s shoe you cannot judge them.

Just as in a hospital whether you are headed to radiology,mammogram,ultrasound or cardiology even the operating room,you come in with fear and hopes that those trained are there to help you,the same way when we gather to church we come not to see a man or to look at the best clothes,we come with that same fear and hope that we cannot leave here the same again.Sometimes things don’t go the way you want it,even when you decide to be focused and pay attention,there is one distraction or the other. From your thoughts racing around,your attention is divided.The devil is fighting to keep your ears away from the pulpit and keep you busy with your phone or thinking what to eat afterwards.The blessings keep hovering around you but you don’t seem to get them.There are battles within and without,you ponder within yourself after the church service..why did she greet me that way? another train of bitterness and anger starts right there.

All these things are meant to block/limit you from climbing higher each day,as you come in to church,come and drop your pains and troubles,the person next to you also has his/her own issues that is why we all come to church.Just as the hardship of life in a human body is prone to breakdowns and subject to aging is why we need hospitals,the same way we need the church and each of us are members of that one body-CHRIST.

I cannot say I am the hand and I do not need the legs anymore or the stomach anymore,we are joined by a stronger bond that cannot be broken,nicely knitted together and framed as one body,designed to speak the same thing and to have the same feelings for one another such that we cannot function without the other part weak and frail.

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so [b]it is with Christ. For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].

For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 amplified bible.

When we begin to see ourselves as patients in a hospital setting then the stance of I am better than this one or more holy than that one would cease,pride would be eliminated and each one of us would come with one heart and mind to the FATHER’S feet to draw from that well.We need to come to a place of unity not minding our status then shall the power of GOD dwell amongst us in totality.Love is key here.
He(CHRIST) makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Ephesians 4:16 (living bible)

When we gather,let us come with a heart that we are nothing in the hands of our maker.All who enter the church must admit there is something wrong and they need restoration.

written by,

Connie Aibangbee