Familiarity

A few weeks ago, we went up to the DFW area to visit family.  Living up there for several decades, I am familiar with parts of the metroplex; however, it has grown and changed so much that sometimes I must rely on Google to help me get to where I am going.  Such was the case as we meandered around Fort Worth, and the Mid-cities.  But, when we went to stay in Arlington, I needed Google’s help only to get to the outskirts of my old stomping grounds.  As we exited onto 360, I told my daughter, “You can turn it off now, I know where I am.”

Familiarity.  Defined, this word means thorough knowledge or mastery of a subject.  To me, it is comfort, easiness, peaceful.  In the metroplex where you can be bombarded with a plethora of highway choices and exits, it’s good to know where you are going.

There are several things that help me get to where I need to go – praying daily to my Father is essential to knowing Him, Bible studies help me dig deeper, reading passages and writing down verses help me solidify them in my heart.  Another element that helps me get where I need to go is the fellowship that I get from being involved in my church.

  And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

                                                                Acts 2:44-47

This church in Acts was cohesive.  They were united; they understood the word familiarity and lived it day by day.

Church = sharing, fellowshipping, encouraging, loving.  Joyful.

I know what you are thinking – Where is this church?  I want to be a part of THIS church.  Sometimes people in my church are not this way. But, truth be told, I’m not always this way.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

                                                                  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

When we stand together – we help each other.  Sometimes we are the fallen.  Sometimes we are the one who lifts up.  But, together, we can be warm – comfortable, peaceful, familiar.  You can’t be familiar with one another if you are absent from church.

At times in our life, someone may offend us with words or actions.  I have been both the offender and the offended.  If you have a relationship with your sisters and brothers in Christ and know them, you will be able to forgive each other and continue serving the Lord together with glad and generous hearts.

God wants us to be in His church supporting and being supported by His children.  It will help sustain us until Jesus comes and takes us home.  And since we do not know when that will be, it is essential that we lean on each other day by day.

Google is helpful, but fellowshipping with other believers is essential.  As I go down the highways and ranch roads of life, it’s comforting to know that the relationships that I have with my church family will help me along the way.

Do you have those relationships?

Heavenly Father,

        What a good, good Father you are that you gave us the gift of the church so that we have a support system here to help us through all the events in our lives.  Help us as a church to share the good news about Jesus, encourage others, and praise your great name. Let us be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other as You have forgiven us.    And guide us as we use the gifts you gave us to serve others.  Find us faithful and obedient, O Lord. 

Amen.