I spent many years hating the church. I grew up in a home that seemed to need Jesus more than most, yet I rejected Him fiercely. Even to the point of throwing out my at-the-time boyfriend’s shirt that said “fear not” because the Bible verse printed on it taunted me so much.
When, as a young wife pregnant with my first baby, my husband suggested we go to church, I recoiled. Eventually he got his way and with arms crossed over my growing belly, I went.
One Sunday, several months later, the pastor said these marvelous words: “If anyone needs a Bible we have free ones for you as you leave.” I felt compelled to get one. I leaned over to my husband and whispered, “I need one.” And that changed everything.
The Lord had recently opened my eyes to my need for salvation through the pages of a friend’s borrowed Bible. So to own my very own seemed generous. We kept returning to that church.
Church then became the place I wanted to be. The place I found generous people, community, belonging and grace. It was the place I found the Church.
As we grew in our walk with the Lord, He led us to a new church home and I found myself (again pregnant) in need again. This time, we were 3 weeks from closing on our first house and at 36 weeks pregnant I was put on bedrest due to minor complications, all with my two year old in toe.
Again the church stepped up.
I had friends bringing meals, taking my toddler to the park and serving our family so graciously and abundantly that I wondered what I ever did without them!
Church has certainly been a place of much pain, disappointment and hurt, as well. We have been deeply hurt by those at church and can completely understand when people stop going or disconnect because of it. But I have also realized church is not Church.
The church is where the Church gathers. Lost sinners and redeemed believers alike fill the pews. In such a place there is much opportunity to love, be loved, serve and be served as well as being hurt.
The Church is the Bride of Christ. She is the one He is returning for. She is making herself ready (Revelation 19:7) for her Groom. We can find the Church in the church when we look for those who are looking like the Bridegroom.
So these days, 20 years into this walk with Jesus, I find myself missing church when quarantined at home for months, not because the location is anything special. But because the gathering of the Church, in person, raising voices in praise and opening the Word together is the taste of heaven this girl needs. It is the place of filling up so we can go serve that lost world that is crossing their arms to His grace.
This week I am looking for those with armed crossed to grace. I am reaching out to love them as I remember when I went from hating church to loving Church.
It has always been about the fellowship. Encouraging one another – and that is what we have not found in our new location!
It can be difficult to find the right church, but what a gift to be part of the Church and gather with believers anywhere to pray and worship. ❤
So beautiful. Truly. Thank you for sharing.
Amie, FMF #15
thank you for reading, Amiens. Grateful it blessed you!
There was a church I loved to hate,
wool suit, and scratchy collars,
and here comes the collection plate
to eat my hard-earned dollars.
Sermons said I’d go to hell
if I didn’t tithe,
and I thought that was just as well
for heaven with these guys
would be such a dull ol’ time,
playing harps to no clear point,
I’d be tempted to commit a crime
to liven up the joint.
So I dropped out and took a breather,
and met Christ, who didn’t go there either.
😂 hahaha! I have been to that church myself, for sure, Andrew! We spent many years raising our boys in a church that Jesus left a couple years before we did and it was evident!
Hahaha. Love this.
😊
Thanks for sharing so openly and honestly.
P.S. I have that Bible too.
so grateful it blessed you ❤
Thank you for sharing. “But I have also realized church is not Church. The church is where the Church gathers” – too often we can forget this; I know I have been guilty of this. We the people, are the church.
Yes, grateful for the Church and the brothers and sisters in Christ that can feel connected even online! ❤
Great testimony!
thank you, He is so faithful!
Aw, Mariel … this is beautiful. What a blessing that now you can be on the lookout for others with their “arms crossed to grace” and share with them the Love that found you all those years ago.
Thank you, so glad it blessed you ❤ and yes, I once heard someone say we are saved with someone else in mind, so our story is meant to give us eyes to see those like we once were that need Jesus 😊
Thanks for following my site; you are very kind.
What a wonderful personal testament to your church family. Looking out for others who might have their arms crossed against grace is exactly how church members should act.
Yes amen!