Thankful to God for THIS too...
Chronicles Update - This Thanksgiving

On Going to Church Alone

By Ann Hutchison Church

I am thankful that I live in a country where I can go to church.

Oh God, thank you for our freedom and safety

... and thank you for the church.

I have been convicted lately that I should not undervalue that freedom. There are so many Christians in the world who would be killed if their neighbors knew they were going to church.

With all that said, I will be transparent: My relationship with church is complex. Uggh. I know it is for many of you too. Those of us in spiritually mismatched marriages find church hard, for a number of reasons.

Sometimes it feels so hard that we don't want to go. I speak for myself here. I am often tempted to just stay home. Hey, yesterday I was tempted to stay home! But I went, and there I encountered the most inspiring sermon that fed me and watered me and lifted me.

Yes, over the years Church has involved sitting alone watching other couples who are there together. It has involved feelings of pain when I've looked at other perfect-churchy families. It has involved feeling like a misfit.

BUT it has also involved this, and here my heart leaps:

  • Being in the house of the Lord.
  • Lifting our praises to the roof.
  • Gathering with those in my city who honor Jesus.
  • Being inspired and encouraged by what I hear.
  • Being the body of Christ.
  • Staying on the right path.
  • Setting the example to my family, who stay home.
  • Speaking a word in season to another hungry soul.

My conscience has told me:

Ann, it's important to be there. GO.

In fact, Ann, if you are leading a ministry, you need to be connected to a church. You must never isolate yourself.

And, importantly, church is a gift. When we're there we gift our presence to others; and we receive from it too.

So I am thankful to be able to go to church.

SUMites, how are you finding church attendance at the moment?

Much love,

Ann

comments powered by Disqus