Go outside the walls

"On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Matthew 9:12

With eyes closed, I smiled upon feeling the sun's warm rays gently touch my face as I was singing along with the praise team at 'church' yesterday - church that was held on the freshly cut lawn outside the building. "Amazing grace. How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see..." Oh how those words resonated with me as I looked around at the gathering of people there, people of various ages and backgrounds. There were families huddled together on blankets, couples sitting in lawn chairs and people in their cars - all with one thing in common... they, like me, were once wretched sinners who were saved by the unmerited favor of God and were now compelled to sing praises to the Savior because of it. 

And you know, when you and I say the word 'church', most people will visualize a building. But if there's one thing we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's this... the church is not a building. To understand what the church really is then, consider the words of Jesus who, when asked why He would eat with sinners, said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." He was reminding us that the church is not a place but a group of imperfect people who recognize their desperate need for a Savior, who seek to glorify the Father above all else, who share a vision and work together as a team, and who go outside the walls to help the "sick" and those in need. 

 

So as the church buildings begin to open back up and we slowly resume worshiping within the walls of them, let us remember that we have work to do and people to reach. People in need of a helping hand that can only be extended when we go outside the walls of the building and into the streets of our towns and cities to meet them where they are. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing grace You bestow on penitent sinners. You are so faithful and so worthy of our undivided love, devotion and praise. Ignite a fire within us Lord that compels us to leave the safety and comfort of our homes and church buildings to lead the lost to You and bring back those who have strayed. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Amazing Grace - Shane & Shane

Look at that sky! The Lord gave us a beautiful afternoon to worship. He is so very very good.