When I was in grade 6 we were challenged with building some kind of miniature structure to reflect dwelling places of our Canadian ancestors. While most of the class used twigs or Popsicle sticks and fabric or paper to create miniature tepees, I came up with the brilliant idea of making a sugar cube igloo. I painstakingly filed each and every cube down to precise angles to make a perfect circle, then eventually a dome. But I faced two challenges; the slightest jiggle and a "brick" would come loose, making a wall collapse. And as I got to the top, unless the cubes were tightly compressed the roof would cave in. After much fooling around (and eating about half a box of sugar cubes) I realized that I could glue the cubes to make a tighter structure and make it stay together better. And a wad of paper in the centre supported the top so that some of the weight was relieved and it stopped caving in. I'm pleased to say that my teacher was thoroughly impressed and gave me an A+. My mom was not so happy about all the sugar that ended up all over the table and the floor ;-)
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My little igloo (before the bottle of Elmer's was brought into play) reminds me of my church, each family or member forming one of the blocks. Life is continually rattling us - as life tends to - and people seem to slip out of their intended position before you know it. Some of those people are foundational and when they leave you end up with a little (or sometimes big) domino effect of others falling out. Right now I think our roof is sagging a bit too....there's a lot of weight pressing in on those who are overseeing everything and they aren't being properly supported.
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So...what's the glue that's meant to hold these church-going cubes together? In my eyes, its relationships. It's taking the time out to care for one another, spend time together and see to each others needs. The book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 42-47 provides an awesome example of how the new church of Jesus Christ was to interact with one another:
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They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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When was the last time you invited someone from the church over for a meal in your home....someone other than one of the 3 or 4 that you hang out with all the time? What is it that stops us from reaching out time and time again? Are we afraid that we won't have enough for ourselves if we share? Are we concerned about being judged for what we do or don't own? Or do we think that nobody likes us well enough to even accept an invite? Friends, each and every one of these reasons are a lie from Satan himself! If we reach out to one another in love, while we may not have the desired response each and every time, I promise you that more often than not, we will be thrilled with the outcome. And if we aren't, we will soon know that our church is not the House of God that we wish it to be and it is destined to fall apart eventually. Personally, I think it's worth the effort of putting a little glue into my neighbouring blocks....don't you?
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And what about the wad of paper that served so support my little igloo? That of course is no less than God. For if a church is not built with God at its core, it's useless.
.
My little igloo (before the bottle of Elmer's was brought into play) reminds me of my church, each family or member forming one of the blocks. Life is continually rattling us - as life tends to - and people seem to slip out of their intended position before you know it. Some of those people are foundational and when they leave you end up with a little (or sometimes big) domino effect of others falling out. Right now I think our roof is sagging a bit too....there's a lot of weight pressing in on those who are overseeing everything and they aren't being properly supported.
.
So...what's the glue that's meant to hold these church-going cubes together? In my eyes, its relationships. It's taking the time out to care for one another, spend time together and see to each others needs. The book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 42-47 provides an awesome example of how the new church of Jesus Christ was to interact with one another:
.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
.
When was the last time you invited someone from the church over for a meal in your home....someone other than one of the 3 or 4 that you hang out with all the time? What is it that stops us from reaching out time and time again? Are we afraid that we won't have enough for ourselves if we share? Are we concerned about being judged for what we do or don't own? Or do we think that nobody likes us well enough to even accept an invite? Friends, each and every one of these reasons are a lie from Satan himself! If we reach out to one another in love, while we may not have the desired response each and every time, I promise you that more often than not, we will be thrilled with the outcome. And if we aren't, we will soon know that our church is not the House of God that we wish it to be and it is destined to fall apart eventually. Personally, I think it's worth the effort of putting a little glue into my neighbouring blocks....don't you?
.
And what about the wad of paper that served so support my little igloo? That of course is no less than God. For if a church is not built with God at its core, it's useless.
