I am a loner.
My preference has been my own company. Even with a beautiful family of a loving wife and three really awesome daughters, I don’t always love spending every minute of my time with them.
Despite being a loner, however, the love of God compels me again to understand that I am nothing without relationships. Not just with Him, but others who will reflect aspects of His character and through whom I can grow and likewise contribute to their growth. I must admit that some of my favourite moments in life has been because of the company of others.
That is fellowship. When you are in the company of others and by the intentional investment of time, energy, gifts and presence we grow together and share life together.
In as much as I could be critical of the church, the fact remains that the love of God that brought me from darkness to light is something that I especially experience in the fellowship of the saints. I love it. I love it when its real – it is not through a formula or a ritualistic approach to things.
It is a genuine move of the Holy Spirit in the lives of men and women to be as honest with God and each other as they can be. This is used to build each other up through inspiring songs, humbling testimonies, refreshing insights in what God is saying and an atmosphere where we can deal with the issues of life, relationships and everything. It is a little glimpse of heaven because it’s so real. It is not hassle-free. It is not without its challenges – indeed it almost revels in these challenges as opportunities to see God’s glory shine through.
It is not a momentary thing either. It is not a lovely feeling that you reminisce on whimsically. It is a building block to carry on the great exploits with each other in every day life. It is something ongoing. It stimulates further relational growth. It tells me to get my life straight, without the judgement or condemnation if I fall. It reaffirms the position we have in Christ as a child of God. It is simply superb.
It is by this that others know that we are Christ’s disciples. It is a tremendous witness of the love of God for others to experience and witness for themselves.
I love church because of fellowship. It is not a pipe dream – it is something that can be experienced whether in an auditorium, or the small front room of a home. It can be the difference between life and death, hope and misery, healing and pain. I am glad that the love of God grants me those experiences, and my prayer and desire is to be a part of more so that others as well as myself will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 