https://odb.org/MY/2022/09/15/where-i-belong
It is unusual but not surprising that ODB repeats a theme. It is unusual because we just spoke about unity of the body in yesterday’s post. But I guess the angle is different and there is still much we can learn and apply.
The unity in today’s post sets the background for the real message to emerge which is about people having a sense of belonging to a local church. I recall in my own spiritual journey that the year after my mum passed, the lay pastor of my previous church also passed away to be with the Lord. As I was one of the elders of that small community of believers, I tried my best to keep the community going. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough continuing support from the remaining core leaders and thus we had to disband the fellowship.
After that, I joined a local church in the city I was staying which I have been attending till today. Before that, we used to travel to that small church every weekend, making the journey early in the morning and returning in the late afternoon after a lunch fellowship and till today my children fondly remember that weekly Sunday experience. It was the church they grew up in during those formative years.
I am glad to say that in that previous small church as well as in my current local church that I joined after that, there is a strong sense of belonging. In both instances, there is a sense that we are all together in this journey of faith as we grow in the glory of God and in the image of Christ. Like the life example in today’s ODB story, I have this feeling that this is my family now. This is my community. I have found somewhere where I know I can love and be loved…. where I belong. These are the places where I had raised my family over the past 20 years and my boys literally grew up in these two communities.
We all need to find that place, that community that we belong to. We need to be anchored in a spiritual family and community that we may raise our family, grow spiritually, serve God in ministry; a place that makes the best of our God-given talents and gifts – that we may become the person God always wanted us to be. A place where we can fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. We cannot live alone as a Christian, worshipping God alone. Our faith is both personal and communal. Yet we cannot be travelling church members, visiting different churches every weekend whether on site or online as a guest always. Church is never just about attending a service or enjoying the worship. It is a sum of everything that goes into the life of a church and most importantly it is a family, a community. Anchor ourselves somewhere and participate and contribute and we will find true peace and fulfilment in the Father, in Jesus Christ our Lord and in the Holy Spirit!
Ronnie's Thoughts 