The Beautiful Discipline of Going to Church

Last week left me physically and emotionally exhausted. Constantly on the go, saying goodbyes, and traveling made me want to just curl up in bed. But we wandered back into town Sunday afternoon. And after a few moments of unpacking at home, we gathered our tired and worn out selves and headed out the door to church.

I'll admit, part of me would have much rather stayed home and rested. Part of me wanted to just do some introverting in my own home and not have to talk to anyone. I was spent emotionally and drained physically. 

But we went.

And sometimes you just go simply out of sheer obedience. 

But God can turn your simple obedience into renewed strength. He can transform your exhaustion into joy. He can use even your tired and worn out acts of obedience to remind you that His ways are good and life-giving. 

As I sat with my brothers and sisters in church and listened to the reading of the Word and sang praise to our Father together, I was overcome with gratitude. Corporate worship is so necessary. It reminds us of our need for community. It brings us back to the gospel. It aligns our hearts with the mission of Jesus Christ. It helps us and encourages us, teaches us and revives us. ​It is simply beautiful to be gathered together because of the gospel and for the gospel. There is power in gathering together as a local body of believers. It is a testimony to grace and a time that is flooded with grace.

To be with the Church, the Body of Christ, is to be with Christ. To make a priority of gathering with believers in a local body is to make a priority of the Word, of community, of our calling as followers of Jesus. 

Of course, there will be times when it just can't happen. And for some, gathering weekly with a local body can't ever happen because of various circumstances. But for those who are able, let us gather with our brothers and sisters consistently. May we choose to show up and encourage and serve and love and give; because our time together is never in vain.