Over the past 7 weeks, I've had the unique opportunity to see the church as something so different than how most people view 'church'. For many people when you mention the word 'church' they may envision an old building with stained glass windows and a steeple. For others, you might see a fancy new building with the latest sound equipment, flat screen TV's everywhere, artistic logos on the walls, maybe even some new worship music playing softly as you enter the building. As I was taught throughout my life and more specifically in Bible college, the word "church", properly translated from the Greek word ekklesia, means 'those who are called out'. Speaking about the Universal Body of believers.
This is not the first time I've experienced seeing 'church' in this way, but it's the first time I've seen it to this extent. Perhaps we can thank social media for connecting the body of believers in a way that has never been possible in years past, but it's truly incredible. Hearing from people all around the world who are praying for us is amazing. Locally, being cared for in the most amazing way with meals, visits, packages, play dates for Bella, cards, etc. It's actually emotionally overwhelming to be loved and cared for in such a way. It makes me think, how incredible God's love is for us if people could care so deeply, how much more our God cares for us.
Dave mentioned to one of his friends, who also happens to be a pastor, all the love and support we've been given. His response was so true, he said, paraphrased 'isn't it crazy that we are surprised when the 'church' acts like the 'church'.' This got me thinking how we don't expect church to be this way. How many avoid church because they only see it as a building of people who really don't care. It's my prayer that we as the universal church would stop trying to attract people to the 'building', but rather we would show the love of Christ to everyone we come in contact with. I think in our modern Christian culture we are so caught up in the 'building' that we are attracting people to the wrong thing. What attracts people to Christ is people who are 'Christlike'. I'm so thankful to have been able to experience the 'church' in a way that I've seen God's hand at work through everyone's prayers and support. We serve a God who does not fit inside a building, but rather a God who dwells inside His people. I encourage you to live a life that people would see a love within you that is the same love that comes from a the living God who is active and working today.
