Don't follow the trend

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42 NIV

If you've been running long enough, you've seen many fitness trends come and go right? I know I have. Think barefoot running, wristbands, shorty shorts and sauna suits. But there's a new trend that is quite possibly even more crazy than all of those... running in deep snow wearing only socks. That's right. According to a report published yesterday, recreational runners in Finland are staying fit by training in the deep snow. The new fitness trend requires only a few layers of thick socks and allows runners to avoid gyms and other indoor sports, according to a report from Reuters. Pekka Parviainen is one such runner. The helicopter pilot told the news agency that running in the snow wearing just his socks gives him a sense of freedom -- while also being a good form of exercise. "This is traditional Finnish crazy stuff, I think we all agree," Parviainen -- who is also a barefoot runner in warmer months -- told Reuters."And it’s really the happiness side," he added. "I mean it’s very good sport, strong exercise and everything, but it really is the happiness."

And you know, when it comes to trends or the general direction in which something is developing or changing, the "online church" trend is growing. And don't get me wrong, being able to listen to and view sermons via the web was amazing when COVID kept the doors of our churches closed--and no doubt many people came to know Christ because of these online services. But the church was designed to be so much more than a one-hour a week video livestream. The church was designed to be a unified body of believers, a family, devoted to the teaching of the Word and "to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Why? Because that's the way we grow and mature as Christians and as a family. Physically spending time together is the only way to make that happen and is something that is especially important for new Christians to do. 

So let us look to the early church in the Book of Acts who made meeting together a priority and in doing so "added to their number daily those who were being saved." And let us follow their example that the lost might not only come to know Jesus as their Savior but would mature in their faith under the love, care, instruction, and guidance of a family of believers. Meeting together is that important. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the church needs to fellowship together regularly if we are to serve You as we should. Compel us to not forsake meeting together Lord, even more so as we see the last days approaching that we might be united as one body and one family in our mission to strengthen one another and lead the lost to You. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Church with no walls